SWINDON'S incoming mayor says he is itching to open the memorial to the victims of the Swindon Disease, as the memorial appeal is now nearly three-quarters of the way towards its target.

The Swindon Disease Memorial Appeal has now raised £7,371 since the Evening Advertiser established it just eight weeks ago and needs just over £2,500 more to ensure we can build a wonderful memorial garden in Queen's Park.

The garden is intended as a quiet place for people to sit and remember the Swindonians who have died of the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

So many of them have died of mesothelioma here that it has earned the sad nickname of the Swindon Disease.

The idea for the garden came from Stan Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott), who takes over the mayor's chain of office on Friday.

He said: "I think this garden is a great thing to do, not only to support the people who suffered, but to further improve a lovely part of Swindon.

"The fact that they have given so much is a great tribute to the people of Swindon, and it will be a great honour for me to open it when we reach the £10,000 target."

And last month, more than half the readers taking part in an Evening Advertiser telephone poll said the garden should be in Queen's Park.

Raising £10,000 will mean that a sensory garden can be created on a disused part of the park, complete with a water feature, sweet smelling blooms and high hedges to keep scents from blowing away.

Mr Pajak, who has the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the opening of the Great Western Hospital to look forward to during his mayoral year, said opening the memorial garden would also be one of his personal highlights.

How you can help

We need £10,000 to create a memorial garden for the victims of Swindon Disease. It is easy to give to our appeal.

Simply send a cheque to: Swindon Disease, Evening Advertiser Newsdesk, 100 Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Cheques must be made payable to 'Swindon Disease Memorial Fund', and we will publish the names of all those who give.