A Barton under Needwood couple whose garden has featured on prime time TV show watched by millions will be opening it up to the public to raise funds for charity.

Ray and Michele Blundell's garden was featured on the BBC's Gardeners' World programme watched by 2.7 million people last autumn because of the stunning autumn colours of its Japanese Maple trees. This year the garden will be open on Saturday, September 9, and Saturday, October 28.

Soon after the BBC show was aired last year, the Blundells held an open garden day for St Giles Hospice. The hospice provides specialist care for local people living with illnesses which may not be curable, as well as support for their families and carers.

The couple didn't know what to expect after celebrity gardener and Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don gave out the date of their St Giles charity opening during the piece on their garden.

Ray said: "We had more than a thousand people turn up one afternoon. And while it raised more than £3,500 for St Giles, it ruined my lawn!"

In fact, so many visitors turned up, that the village had to be closed for part of the day. This year special off-road parking will be provided for visitors.

He said: "Our aim is to have succession in the garden, so there is always something interesting happening all through the year. In June the perennials shine, September will show off our ornamental grasses and October will again feature the spectacular colour show the maples provide."

Tea and cakes will be provided at the events, while admission is £4.

The Blundells' garden has been carved out from a meadow and an orchard over the last 15 years, and is ever-expanding. Ray admits: "We can’t stop buying plants!."

The garden is at Woodhouses, just outside of Barton under Needwood, off the B5016 and if visitors are using a satnav the postcode to use is DE13 8BS) and contains more than 100 different varieties of Japanese maple, as well as a huge variety of plants and ornamental grasses.

More details about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides is available by visiting www.stgileshospice.com

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