IT WILL be one of Southampton's secret gardens, used to hide a modern day fact of life.

Landscapers are put-ting the final touches to Barratt Homes's new Park View development on the site of Southamp-ton's former Polygon Hotel.

New residents who have moved into the apartments are set to take advantage of an imaginative and spacious communal garden which disguises a large area of undercover car parking.

A spokesman for the builders said: "Park View boasts a landscaped deck to the rear of the property which incorporates lightweight soil and irrigation technology to maintain moisture content within the ground.

"The turf has gone down and by the summer residents will be able to enjoy an established garden right here in the heart of the city.''