BIDDULPH GP Michael Smith is to be remembered in a new public area unveiled in the town this week.

Dr Smith practised in Biddulph from 1985 until his death from a brain haemorrhage five years ago at the age of just 38.

A lasting tribute to Dr Smith has been provided with a bench paid for by his 41-year-old sister Julie, who lives in Manchester.

The bench features a commemorative plaque, and forms part of a series of improvements carried out at an underused, lawned area between the Royal Oak pub in High Street and Brammer's Shoe Shop in Station Road.

The improvements cost £13,000, and include raised flowerbeds, a cobbled surface and cast iron litter bin.

The work was funded, with the exception of the bench, by the Moorlands Partnership, which is an environmental group run by the Moorlands district council.

Dr Smith's sister was hoping to travel to Biddulph yesterday to see the official unveiling of the new-look area by council leader and partnership board chairman Ted Parry.

A native of Macclesfield, Dr Smith lived at Biddulph Park.

He loved the countryside, in recognition of which his sister has planted two trees, an acer and an oak, in the grounds of Biddulph Grange Country Park, which is run by the Moorlands District Council.

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