A convent was filled with colourful blooms as it held a flower festival to celebrate its centenary.

St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home, in Chiswick, threw open its doors to the public to show off an array of flowers and plants as it marked the special milestone last weekend.

Floral displays were donated by churches, including St Michael and All Angels Church, in Bedford Park, and Chiswick Parish Church, and Chiswick brownies.

Sister Jennifer Anne said: “Just after Easter is a wonderful time to enjoy the spring flowers, both in the displays and in the convent garden, and to give thanks to God for his goodness.

“It also gave us a moment to remember all those who have lived and worked here for a hundred years and those who still today provide a caring home for many.”

The convent, run by the Sisters of the Society of St Margaret, has cared for the elderly and infirm since 1910 when it first moved to the site.

A private nursing home was set up to fund the running of the on-site St Joseph’s Hospital for Incurables, which had moved in the late 1890s from Kensington Square to the clean air of the then rural Chiswick.

In 2001 a major fundraising campaign was set up to raise the £1.6m needed to fund refurbishments required to bring the nursing home up to modern standards.

By 2004 all the building works were completed and paid for thanks to the hard work of the sisters, staff and members of the Chiswick community.

Today the convent is home to more than 60 residents, cared for by 95 staff, as well as five nuns, two labradors and a large ginger cat.