GARDENERS Doreen and Terry Soule invited plucky toddler Lydia Cross to their wonderful garden this week, to present her with the proceeds of their annual open garden weekend.

Mr and Mrs Soule, of Ingram Street, Malmesbury, are renowned for their beautiful garden and each year open it to the public for free.

Any donations given by visitors are then awarded to a worthy cause and this year it was Lydia's Appeal Fund.

"We read about what happened to Lydia in the Gazette and it just broke our hearts," said Mr Soule, 61.

"This year we decided to raise money for the Lydia Cross Appeal and over the course of two weekends, around 450 people came.

"Many knew about Lydia and were very glad to donate money to the fund," he added.

"We had people giving £10 and £20 notes.

"We were also visited by a lot of people out of the area, who had been to the Abbey Gardens and seen our posters.

"They were equally generous when we told them why we were raising money for Lydia."

Following two open weekends, July 24-25 and July 31-August 1, the Soules were thrilled to learn they had raised £1,260.

"It's a fantastic amount," said Mr Soule.

Three year-old Lydia of Chippenham had to have both her legs amputated below the knee last December after developing septicaemia, brought on by the HIB virus.

In January she was fitted with prosthetic legs and the Gazette launched an appeal to help her parents meet the £12,000 a year treatment cost.

So far the appeal stands at £37,500 and thanks to big-hearted people like the Soules and their many visitors, it is still rising.

On Monday, Lydia and her parents Jodie and Tony and baby sister Millie visited the Soule's to see their garden for themselves.

"Lydia loved the lawn and the steps and it was wonderful to see her walking around," said Mr Soule.

"She particularly liked the water feature and the little bridge we have here."

Lydia's mum Jodie, 34, said: "The garden is absolutely beautiful and Lydia had a wonderful time playing there.

"We are very grateful to the Soule's for raising this money and to everyone who continues to contribute and raise money for the Lydia appeal we have been bowled over by their generosity."

Donations to the Lydia Cross Appeal fund can be made by sending cheques to the Gazette & Herald, 31, Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HP.