A FORMER nurse who is recovering after contracting coronavirus has been given a surprise garden makeover.

Greg Wain, from Swanage, received the makeover from Barratt Homes, after the company discovered he was in hospital with the virus.

He lives at the housebuilder's Compass Point development in Swanage.

Greg, who was a nurse for 42 years, said: "When I fell ill with Covid-19 I really missed being outdoors and I didn’t know when I would be able to get back to work on putting the personal touches on the garden.

"So, when I found out that Barratt Homes had gone the extra mile by renovating my garden while I was in hospital, I was over the moon.”

Previously lawned with a small patio area, Mr Wain’s garden was transformed. An area of decking is planned to be built, where he will be able to sit and enjoy the sunshine as he continues his recovery.

Greg said: "I was already extremely happy with the service I’d received from the team at Barratt Homes, who exceeded my expectations when it came to the personal service they provided throughout my purchase.

"And finding out that they had gone even further by making this miraculous transformation to my garden while I was in hospital, clarifies the efforts they go to ensure their customers are looked after.”

Meanwhile Tammy Bishop, sales director at Barratt Homes’ Southampton division, said: “The pandemic has been a devastating time for so many families, so when we heard that one of our own residents had fallen ill we knew we had to help in whatever way we could.

“Our commitment to the happiness of our residents goes further than just the buying process and it is a pleasure to see the result of the makeover and how happy it has made Mr Wain."

Nationally, the company has contributed £100,000 to the NHS Charities Together and donated £50,000 to The Sun's ‘Who Cares Wins Appeal’.

It also donated PPE, including more than 5,000 FFP3 face masks to local NHS services and 400 defibrillators to the St John’s Ambulance in England and Wales and St Andrew’s First Aid in Scotland.