Memorial stone for Margaret Green Animal Rescue's founder

The Purbeck Stone memorial has been placed at the charity's Church Knowle rescue centre's newly-renovated garden of remembrance.

Funded by the Dorset Funeral Plan, which is run by Dorset's Douch Family Funeral Directors, it reads: 'In loving memory of Margaret Green 1915-2009. A caring lady who devoted her life to animals. And Angel, our beloved rescue horse 1984-2015. Departed but never forgotten.'

Margaret's father Jerry started the animal rescue charity in 1965, but died three years later - just before the Church Knowle site opened for the first time.

His daughter Margaret, who the rescue centre was named after, carried on, and was involved in the charity right up until her death, aged 94, in 2009.

The stone memorial also mentions 'Angel', a rescued horse who passed away earlier this year after living at the centre for three decades.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue fundraising and marketing officer Kate Cross said: "We have received some wonderful support from companies to mark our anniversary.

"The garden of remembrance has been totally renovated and extended and the memorial stone really tops it off.

"It also mentions Angel, our horse who died earlier this year. She was one of Margaret's favourite animals and too see their names together on the stone is very fitting."

Malcolm Green from Swanage's James Smith Funeral Directors and Mark Alder from Wareham's Albert Marsh Funeral Directors organised for the stone to be inscribed.

Managing director of Dorset Funeral Plan, Nick Douch, said: "Like Margaret Green Animal Rescue, our two Purbeck branches have a long and proud history in the area.

"With the garden of remembrance being renovated and expanded in the fiftieth anniversary year it was fitting there was a permanent tribute to Margaret Green.

"We were delighted to be able to provide the memorial stone which we hope will be there at the centre for the next 50 years."