A former Keswick School pupil who went on to be a self-made businessman, charity worker and the holder of a CBE has donated £50,000 towards a sensory garden in the town, which will be a memorial to his mother.

Bill Holroyd is from Eskdale originally.

His parents, Vernon and Dorcas, had a hill farm on High Corney before moving to Keswick in 1965.

Mrs Holroyd was an active member of the community and died, aged 70, in 1984.

Her son left Cumbria after school and went to college in Blackpool before moving to London where he worked for the food supply arm of hotel chain Trusthouse Forte.

He went on to set up a successful food distribution business. He now lives in Cheshire but has a holiday home in Grasmere and regularly visits Keswick.

Eighteen months ago, Mr Holyroyd and his wife Julie set up a charitable trust.

He said: "We put a substantial amount of money in with a view to working with young people.

"I also wanted to put something back into Keswick though, something which would remind us of mum and her love for the town.

"She was involved in the flower club and in raising money to restore Moot Hall. She was a great community person who loved life in Keswick.

"She was so supportive and inspiring and set me up in business and gave me my first £3,000 when we could ill afford it."

When he heard about the plans to create a sensory garden in Keswick he felt that would the perfect memorial to his late mother.

Friends of Keswick Parks are wanting to build a garden for the benefit of elderly and disabled people. The plan is to bring mountain features to the town, to be enjoyed by people who cannot get on to the fells.

They have been given the go-ahead to develop an area of land beside the war memorial, off Station Road and next to Fitz Park.

Mr Holyroyd said: "She loved flowers so when I heard about this it seemed perfect. It's a fantastic site and could not be more prominent. It will be beautiful and an asset to the town."

The plan is to have a plaque in the garden, with his mother's name. Mr Holyroyd will be at the opening later in the year.