The green fingered owners of 27 gardens threw open their gates this weekend, raising £6,000 for a local hospice.

The Open Garden Weekend saw gardeners in Hastingwood invite in the general public to raise donations for St Clare Hospice, which cares for people with life limiting and terminal illnesses.

With others opened in Church Langley and Harlow, garden owners held raffles and set up stalls selling plants, bric-a-brac and refreshments.

This year’s event was the last to be organised by St Clare stalwart Ann Gould, a long-time curator of the annual show.

Fellow community fundraiser Danielle De’ath said: “From small acorns, mighty oaks grow and under Ann’s careful cultivation, our Open Gardens Weekend has blossomed into one of our most popular annual events.

“We would like to thank her for her unwavering commitment and enthusiasm over the years for helping sow the seeds of such a successful fundraising event for the hospice.”