A RACE against time to build a garden for cancer patients is being won thanks to Royal backing.

Youngsters from the Prince's Trust in Preston have taken up the challenge of transforming a featureless plot into a garden and picnic area at the Royal Preston Hospital.

The patch of grass and concrete is what patients would see from their bedrooms when they stay overnight at the cancer treatment centre which opens next spring.

Team Leader Jonathon Hackney said: "We've only got five days to do it - but we think positively. It will be finished by Friday."

He explained that the new Prince's Trust branch in Preston was looking for an important community project for their first assignment when hospital bosses suggested the garden.

"There's not much of a view here out of the hostel window and there's nowhere to sit outside," he said.

"But once we have finished we hope patients could even have a picnic here with their families." Benches, trees and flowers are all being installed in the garden.

The team of volunteers aged 16-25 have had to raise all the cash themselves to buy materials and plants to create the rockeries and flowerbeds. The garden will be officially opened at a presentation ceremony on Friday.

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