CHARITY open garden days will return to Cotswold villages around the Stroud Valley on Sunday, April 30 and Monday, May 1.

Nine gardens in an around Eastcombe, Bussage and Brownshill will be open to visitors over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Organised by Hilltop Gardening Club (HGC), the event will raise funds for three local charities: Myeloma UK, the Stroud Valleys Project and Hope for Tomorrow, a charity that provides mobile chemotherapy facilities.

Money will also be raised for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) supported nursing charities. In previous years several thousand pounds has been raised for the chosen charities and this year (HGC) hope to continue the good work.

"If the weather’s good we’d hope to welcome 600-plus visitors", said Richard Dade HGC's publicity officer.

There is a great variety of styles to discover when exploring the nine gardens from landscaped and steeply sloping terrain to layered terraces, cottage gardens and compact, imaginative designs in an estate setting.

There are glimpses throughout the route of the delightful Toadsmoor Valley scenery surrounding the three villages.

For the first time, the garden at the Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard in Brownshill will be open and offers spectacular valley views.

Admission to all the gardens is £6 and children are admitted free.

Tours start at Eastcombe Village Hall and a map can be picked up from the same venue.

Alternatively tickets can bought at each individual garden along the trail.

For more information contact Richard Dade via email - pipdade@btinternet.com or via telephone - 07771-663735