A memorial garden to commemorate babies who die during pregnancy, at birth or within the first weeks of their lives, has been unveiled.

The Sands Butterfly Garden, in Epsom Cemetery, Ashley Road, was opened by the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Christine Long, on June 8.

The £43,000 garden, the first of its kind in the borough, is a partnership between the Surrey Sands charity, which supports bereaved parents, and the council, which donated the land.

Dominated by a central paved butterfly, representing the fleeting nature of life, there are a number of internal paths with places to sit and a memorial wall for plaques. Five have already been ordered since the garden opened, with 12 plaques already in place from the 12 fundraisers for the opening.

There is a space reserved nearby for the burial of babies, with a small number of family plots for those who wish to buried with their baby in the future.

An area for the interment of babies’ ashes is also close to the garden.

Lorna Bland, Surrey Sands chairwoman, said the inspiration behind the garden came from her understanding of the importance for grieving parents of having a place to commemorate their child.

Her own son Elliot was still-born 16 years ago and is buried in Epsom cemetery.

She said: "Some parents choose cremation and scatter the ashes and sometimes there are no ashes according to the gestation of the baby.

"When babies are born under 24 weeks, a birth certificate will not be issued - according to the law they don’t exist.

"They are left with nothing and they need something which recognises the life of their child."

The 48-year-old, from Stoneleigh, said the death of a baby is a "taboo subject which is belittled as a type of grief".

She added: "People don’t understand why we grieve for a child we have not shared our life with, but the bond starts at conception.

"We don’t stop loving people when they die - it is an endless journey of grief.

"What we have lost is a lifetime together which is what you invest in when you decide to become a parent. Then your parental instinct is still there and the child is not."

Opening the garden, Councillor Long said: "This garden will provide solace to the bereaved and dignity in loss for those of all cultures and beliefs".