The last resting place of one of Hampshire’s most famous women, Florence Nightingale, has been restored to its former glory after suffering serious damage during the winter storms.

The Nightingale Family Memorial at St Margaret’s Church, Wellow, has been repaired after an 80ft lime tree crashed down on it in high winds on February 14.

Upper parts of the 10ft high monument were broken by the toppling tree and the whole structure was dislodged from its plinth.

Stonemasons repaired the monument on site – it had been thought at one stage it would have be taken away for restoration – and also gave it a good clean.

The work has been completed just in time for the church’s annual Florence Nightingale commemoration service this Sunday (May 11).

Vicar, Chris Pettet, says there will be a special prayer of thanks as the congregation gathers around the memorial, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Florence, regarded as the mother of modern nursing, was buried at St Margaret’s in 1910. Her family lived at nearby Embley Park, now the home of Hampshire Collegiate School.