A team of Royal Mail trainers swapped letters for paint and brushes to support St Francis Hospice.

Five postal service employees spent a day at the hospice where they helped to restore garden furniture to its former glory and maintain the beautiful grounds.

“Royal Mail is committed to supporting the community,” said Bill Newman from Collier Row, a trainer for the Royal Mail.

“I know people who have been at Saint Francis Hospice and they have always said what a wonderful organisation it is and how professional and supportive they are.”

Bill said Royal Mail has carried out gardening work at the hospice, in Broxhill Road, Havering-Atte-Bower, in the past and he enjoyed being involved in its latest initiative.

Claire White, head gardener at Saint Francis Hospice said: “I’m so pleased that the team was able to help us, not just by re-painting the benches and chairs but also by doing some repair work as they put their carpentry skills to good use.

“They had a lot of energy to offer us and they are definitely welcome to come back and assist us again to keep our hospice gardens looking so beautiful for all our patients and visitors.”