A magical fairy kingdom filled with tiny treasures has appeared in the garden of Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, much to the delight of youngsters who spend time at the centre.

The magnificent miniature world, complete with washing lines, a post box and an Eddie Stobart truck, was set up by fairy fanatic and hospice volunteer Angela Hall.

Angela, 60, who helps out in the Eden Valley Hospice Fisher Street store, was asked to become involved in the special project because she had created her own fairy garden at her Dalston home.

Jumping at the chance to create a new fairy estate, Angela embarked on a road trip across the country in search of donations and gifts.

And in the last few weeks the garden has really come to life, with children who are well enough painting stones to add to the kingdom and others visiting the garden to watch as work progressed.

“It has been hard work but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Angela. “I’ve been privileged enough to meet some of the children.

"One little boy asked me what I was doing and I told him about the fairies in my garden. I said the fairies had written me a letter saying their friends wanted to move to the area because it was so lovely and did I know anyone who could help them or anywhere they could go.

"The boy asked me what had happened to the letter and I said it was magic and just disappeared in a puff of smoke once I had read it. His eyes were on stalks. It was just so sweet. ”

The fairy home, which will be a permanent feature in the Durdar Road garden, includes a village green, a manor house, some detached and terraced houses, a little pond with a bridge and a carousel, among other things.

Some of the more precious treasures will be put away for safe keeping when winter begins, but Angela hopes to expand the estate next spring to include a lake with sailing boats and street lighting.

The garden comes hot on the heels of the publication of a trilogy of books, entitled The Pixies of Greenwell , which recently went on sale to raise money for Jigsaw and the Eden Valley Hospice.

The books written by another Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw volunteer, Penny Ritson, and illustrated by her neighbour and friend Rachel, tell the story of the fairies and pixies who set up home each summer along a country lane and down by the river at Greenwell, close to a section of Gelt Woods, about three miles from Brampton.

The books cost £10 for the three and are presented in exquisite little bags handmade by a volunteer craft group. There are on sale at the Brampton bookshop and the Eden Valley bookshop in Carlisle, as well as at the hospice.

Anne Hall, retail manager for the hospices’ charity shops, said the books were the inspiration behind setting up the garden.

She said: “We had the launch of the books back in July and I knew Angela had her own fairy garden so I asked her to get involved.

"She is a remarkable woman and has worked tirelessly over recent weeks collecting items and setting up our fairy garden. Now the fairies are in it and it looks great.

"It is a lovely place for the children to visit and they are already getting so much from it. We are delighted with it.”