RESIDENTS are being invited to Astwood Bank Open gardens this weekend.

With more than 20 gardens open between 10am and 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, plus a flower festival taking place at St Matthias Church, the Astwood Bank in Bloom team are hoping for bumper crowds.

Entry tickets are available in advance from Botany Bay Nurseries in Edgioake Lane at £5 for each adult.

On the day they will be £6 each, with children under 16 admitted for free.

Tickets on the day will also be available outside St Matthias Church in Church Road Astwood Bank.

Brochures will be provided with a suggested route and some details on each garden opening.

There promises to be something for all of the family with a fun children’s treasure hunt at Botany Bay nurseries, a miniature steam railway operating in one of the gardens, craft stalls at the church, farm animals, a variety of garden games, and the gardens themselves.

This year sees the return of the Flower Festival in the church with many local groups and residents creating displays to decorate the church.

Refreshments will be available in some of the gardens as well as through a wide range of local businesses.

Parking will be available at both Ridgeway Academy and Astwood Bank Primary School.

Sam Mulhall, who is the main organiser for the event, said: “It is amazing how many people in our community get involved in supporting the event, whether it is the team doing litter picking, the gardeners who have been busy over the last few weeks getting them ready for the event, the Astwood Bank in Bloom team for planting over 2,000 plants this week, or the businesses such as Botany Bay and Thorlux Lighting supporting us in many ways.

"We are all looking forward to people having a fun day out in Astwood Bank, whilst helping raise funds for local groups.”