GARDENS across Moretonhampstead will be open later this month for the 18th Moretonhampstead Secret Gardens.

Going from strength to strength, a number of gardens in and around Moretonhampstead will be open to the public over the weekend of June 22 and June 23, with some opening for the first time.

The popular event welcomes around 500 visitors each year, an increasing number of whom make a full weekend of their visit.

The event is organised by the Friends of St Andrew's Church in Moretonhampstead, which is a registered charity.

Proceeds are used to help cover the costs of structural maintenance and repairs at the church. There will also be a sale of plants grown by various gardeners in Moretonhampstead, and a sale of second hand gardening books.

Opening hours for all the gardens will be 11am to 5pm on both days. Most gardens are in easy walking distance of the town car parks and some of the more distant ones can be reached by using the Wray Valley trail either on foot or by bicycle.

Parking for private cars is also available at some of the gardens.

Tickets, maps and descriptions of the gardens are available now at the Moretonhampstead Information Centre and by calling 01647 440043. They will also be on sale in the village square over the weekend itself.

The entry charge is £5 per person, covering all the gardens across both days. There is no charge for accompanied children under the age of 14.