A BUBBLING water feature, scented plants and a comfortable bench will greet visitors to a Swindon refuge that has been transformed by Zurich volunteers.

The garden at Oak Lodge crisis house will be a haven for visitors to Sandalwood Court, in Stratton, who struggle to cope with mental health problems.

A team of 13 volunteers from Zurich's finance department raised more than £800 and will complete the two-day project today.

Volunteer Steve Wall, 35, said: "This is part of the Zurich Cares project, and one that we decided would be a suitable goal for our team.

"We came here to meet with the staff and work out how to improve the garden, which was a bit overgrown.

"We held a range of charity events to raise enough money for materials and the team split into two to carry out the work."

They have already climbed a mountain to reach their fundraising target.

The staff calculated the number of steps they would need to reach the theoretical summit of Ben Nevis, and then each completed a leg of the journey at their Swindon headquarters.

Steve said: "It was something close to 2,000 steps but we managed it and the staff were very generous."

The new bench sits under a tree and in front of a wall that will soon be adorned in climbing plants.

The vision of tranquillity will be a welcome tonic for visitors who come to Oak Lodge when they tire of the outside world.

Mental health support worker Paula Wyatt: "This beats any television makeover show, they have worked really fast and are doing it all themselves.

"The garden was looking a bit tatty even though we opened last autumn, but now it will make a lovely spot for our guests."

In October Swindon star Melinda Messenger visited the Mind-funded centre to lend her support to its opening.

And an anniversary birthday bash is being planned to mark 12 months of helping those in need.