Sidmouth’s multimillion-pound medical centre has received a boost to its £16,000 project to improve the look of its car park.

The Sid Vale Association (SVA) presented a cheque to Dr Duncan Hall of the Beacon Medical Centre for £5,500 to cover the cost of planting trees, including beeches, field maples and ornamental pear varieties around the facility.

SVA chairman Alan Durrant said: “These will enhance the experience of patients and local residents attending the new health facility.

“The opening of the Beacon Medical Centre is a step towards meeting more effectively the health needs of a larger community.”

The contribution is a huge boost to the Patient Participation Group’s target to improve the centre’s appearance.

The group said in March it would be appealing for help to raise a further £10,500 to improve the centre’s appearance.

SVA president Handel Bennett said: “I think you should be congratulated for this step forward for medical services as the town is growing. The trees will grow as the centre grows.”

The centre will provide consulting rooms for seven doctors, treatment rooms for six nurses, a minor operations suite and facility for a pharmacy.

The medical centre will serve all 14,000 patients in the Sid Valley.

Dr Duncan Hall said: “We are very grateful to the SVA and the Keith Owen Fund for helping us to purchase the extra trees.”