The family of a patient who died of terminal cancer at Whipps Cross Hospital have donated a handmade bench to the “fantastic” hospital’s garden.

Desmond French, 73, of Hartwell Drive, Highams Park was cared for in the Leytonstone hospital last year.

Born in 1940 in Dublin, but raised in London from the age of two months, Des would spend his early years at the Plough Inn, Wood Street, where his parents were landlords for 12 years.

In 1976, Des married his wife Kim and they had five children and lived in Highams Park.

During a visit to see his daughter Michaela at Whipps Cross  in January last year, Des was also admitted as an inpatient after complaining to staff of hip pain and severe weight loss.

Following tests, Des was diagnosed with cancer of the hip, lung, kidney and bones.

He was only given six months to live and died a month after he and his wife renewed their vows.

To honour their father, his children Darren, Daniel, Jamie, Joshua and Michaela decided to build a wooden bench from scratch for the hospital garden.

Mrs French said: “The care Des received at Whipps Cross Hospital was fantastic. As a family, we really felt that we should honour that and Des’ memory.

“The reason we chose the garden is that we know Des would have loved spending time there. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t well enough to do that.

"We’re just pleased other people will now be able to take some time out to and go and relax there. Des will be looking down on them and smiling.”