A Shepton Mallet resident has been thanked for quietly spending the past two years keeping one of the town's more unusual little gardens alive and colourful.

Mary Barnes has been looking after the planted former red telephone box on Charlton Road, watering and tending its greenery, grasses and flowers through changing seasons — and, more recently, some distinctly unforgiving weather.

The old phone box has been transformed into a miniature garden, providing a splash of colour for people heading into Shepton Mallet along Charlton Road.

Keeping it that way has taken regular work behind the scenes, particularly during recent droughts and heatwaves when watering became even more important.

Shepton Mallet Town Council has now publicly thanked Mary for her efforts, describing her work as a small act of kindness repeated over time which has made a noticeable difference to the town.

Mary was presented with flowers in recognition of her work. She was pictured alongside garden designer Angela Morley and town councillor Simon Edwards.

The council said the garden offered "a little unexpected colour and joy on an everyday journey" and was an example of what one person's care could bring to the wider community.

There may be grander landmarks around Shepton Mallet, but sometimes it is the little things people pass every day that make a place feel looked after.

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And after two years of watering cans, hot spells and plenty of quiet effort, Charlton Road's smallest garden has Mary to thank for keeping the colour coming.

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