GREEN fingered residents of Wyre Forest are being invited to take a look into other people’s gardens.

Kidderminster Horticultural Society’s annual garden open day sees group members as well as local residents open their gardens to the public while also raising money for charity.

Louise Aston, event organiser, is one of the 12 people opening their gardens.

“It’s nice to share what you have with other people,” she said.

“I open my garden every year, but this year will be the first time I have opened my current one.

“We don’t find it difficult to get people to open their gardens and this year we even had a 93 year old woman come to us asking if she can open hers.”

Displays will range from normal everyday communal types to larger gardens, one of which won Bewdley in Bloom last year.

Tickets for the event, on Sunday, July 13, cost £5 and all proceeds will be going to Acorns Children’s Hospice and Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Mrs Aston said: “We decided on the charities by having a vote between the 12 of us who are opening our gardens, and it got whittled down to the last two.

“Last year we raised about £4,000 so we hope to do as well this time.”

Gardens will be open to view between 10am and 6pm with tickets clearly marked with address, post code and a map of the local area so should be easy to find.

Those taking part in the event will be able to be identified by a wooden sunflower.

Refreshments will be served in a selection of the gardens with one including an all day barbecue, while Mrs Aston will be selling strawberries and raspberries with cream and a selection of cakes.

Tickets are available from John Beard Ironmongers, in Bridge Street, Kidderminster and also from Stourport Photo Centre, in High Street, Stourport.

For more information about the event contact Louise Aston on 01299 403539, Sue Cook on 01562 631001, Jean Hughes on 01562 740430 or visit horticultural.org.uk.

The society is also hosting a two day country fair and show in the gardens of the Mercure Hotel, in Habberley Road, on September 13 and 14.

Mrs Aston said this year’s show would be bigger and better than the last, and is growing each year.

More information will be released closer to the time.