KEEN gardeners will have the chance to see fabulous flowers and a mature orchard this weekend.

David and Julia Raw will welcome visitors to The Old Vicarage, at Hutton Magna, near Barnard Castle, on Sunday afternoon (April 27) as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The scheme offers green fingered folk a peek into private gardens which are not normally open to the public.

Mr and Mrs Raw, who have lived at their 19th century home for 36 years, have taken part in the scheme for more than a decade.

Mr Raw said this year, visitors could look forward to a good display of hellebores and tulips.

Their garden also features a small orchard, which includes apple, pear and damson trees – some of which are more than 100 years old - and a small area of wildflowers.

Mr Raw said: “My wife started off the hellebores quite a long time ago when they were not very well known or very popular.

“She has generated quite a lot of interest in them. They are a rugged plant for this part of the world and can stand cold winters and wind much better than other plants.”

Mr Raw said the original Victorian layout of the garden had been retained, although hedging had been put in to try to reduce the effect of the prevailing south-westerly wind.

The garden will be open between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday. Admission is £3 (children free) and there will be a plant stall plus home-made teas.

Money raised from the event will support the National Gardens Scheme's seven chosen charities, which include Macmillan, Marie Curie and Parkinson's UK.