THYROID cancer patient Cyril Davies has first-hand experience of the isolation that accompanies treatment of the disease.

Now 64-year-old Mr Davies, from New Inn, is helping fellow patients add a touch of much-needed colour to the view from the treatment rooms at the Velindre Cancer Centre, in Cardiff.

Isolation is a vital part of the procedure for early-stage treatment of the cancer. There are around 1,300 new cases a year in the UK.

"When you're in that room, you're on your own. You can telephone and there is a television, but there can be no human contact for several days," said Mr Davies, who is secretary of the Thyroid Cancer Support Group Wales.

"At Velindre the rooms look out on a patch of ground that has become very overgrown. "Group members know what it's like and we want to create a low- maintenance garden so patients can look out on a more cheerful view."

Treatments for thyroid cancer can include surgery, followed by radiotherapy or a radioactive iodine tablet.

The latter requires patients to stay in an isolation room until radioactivity in the body has reduced so it is safe for others.

Businesses including Scott's Garden Products, County Industrial Supplies, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran Hire Centre, and DT Gardens and Fencing are supporting the garden project.

Newport In Bloom winner Diane Fletcher will design and plant the garden, which the group hopes will be planted in late spring.