Pet owners will be able to remember their beloved animals at a peaceful new garden area at a city cemetery.

The Paw Print Remembrance Garden will offer a resting place for pets, where families can scatter their ashes or lease a memorial vault.

It was created in an area of Carmountside Cemetery not suitable for the burial of human remains.

And on Thursday (November 27), Lord Mayor Steve Watkins officially opened the garden to invited guests including children from nearby Carmountside Primary Academy.

He said: "We are a nation of animal lovers and pets are an important part of our lives. When they pass on it can be a difficult time grieving their loss.

Families can scatter their ashes or lease a memorial vaul at the Paw Print Remembrance Garden (image via Pete Stonier)

"This garden will be a valuable resource for many residents, offering them a chance to go to a peaceful space to gather their thoughts and grieve.

"They will have a choice of ways to commemorate their furry friends.

"I hope this new pet garden of remembrance will be a huge help to the residents of Stoke-on-Trent, supporting them when they are going through the hard time of losing a pet."

Memorial plaques will be available to lease for residents wishing to commemorate their departed pets.

And a variety of memorials and keepsakes are available for those wish to keep a small amount of their pet's ashes at home.

The tranquil space includes plant beds, a pathway, paw print shaped ground display and benches for quiet reflection.

Cllr Steve Watkinssays the garden is a 'peaceful space' for residents to 'gather their thoughts and grieve' (image via Pete Stonier)

Memorial development operative John Shakespeare has created environmentally friendly features such as a "bug hotel" and drinking area for canine visitors, using recycled wood, while bee-friendly plants have been chosen for the beds and recycled plastic has been used to make the benches.

Cllr Majid Khan, cabinet member for health integration and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "For many of us, pets are an integral part of the family and losing them is often a sad, difficult time.

"This new garden of remembrance is a welcoming space to remember your furry friends and with many options available, you will be able to commemorate them in a way that is personal to you."

For more information on the Paw Print Remembrance Garden and services available, call 01782 235050 or email [email protected].