A COURTYARD area at Airedale Hospital has been transformed.

Several businesses volunteered their support to help give a makeover to the space next to the converted Pacer carriage at the Steeton site.

A bright rainbow now adorns a once-plain concrete wall, trees and flowers have been planted and wooden picnic benches installed, which families can use at lunchtimes and children can utilise for activities.

Staff from B&Q in Keighley offered up their time to Airedale Hospital and Community Charity as part of their corporate volunteer scheme.

And they were joined by Bingley-based Aire Valley Decorating, and Halifax firm Complete House Maintenance.

Martin Gadd, unit manager at B&Q in Keighley, said: "My team had been looking forward to helping and supporting Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, and was really excited to get started on the project.

"On the day we had a great time painting, planting and building, with some terrific help from our trade customers.

"It is such a great cause for us to support, and hopefully it will generate help for those who need it in the future."

Paul Gledhill, owner of Aire Valley Decorating, said: "When B&Q approached me to be part of its volunteering team to transform the outdoor area at the hospital, I was honoured to be part of it.

"The difference we all made in such a short time was amazing, and the area will hopefully cheer up families that need to use the facilities. Volunteering for Airedale Hospital and Community Charity was a day well spent!"

And Ian Maher, owner of Complete House Maintenance, said he "really enjoyed" working on the project.

"It was great to work alongside B&Q and Aire Valley Decorating and to give a little bit back to local causes," he added.

The Pacer carriage was won by Airedale Hospital & Community Charity in a competition run by the Department for Transport.

The train, once a familiar sight on the rail network before its 'retirement', now offers a non-clinical space for youngsters on the children’s ward and for those visiting the paediatric outpatients department.

Rail operator Northern sponsored the Pacer's renovation through its customer and community improvement fund.

Renamed the Flying Dalesman, features of the unit include creative spaces, sensory zones, areas for reading and learning and an indoor tree.

Also, the driver’s cab has been restored.

For more about Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, email anhsft@nhs.net or call 01535 294870.