WHEN Caroline Peacock spends time in her garden, she often thinks about a relative whose life was cut short by cancer.

She said: "My cousin Penny had a passion for gardening. She died of cancer just before I agreed to help raise funds for the Macmillan County Durham appeal."

This month, the co-manager of the appeal will throw open her picturesque farmhouse garden to the public to raise funds for its vital work.

Since it was launched more than 18 months ago, the appeal has raised £400,000.

This means that the bid to improve support for cancer patients and their families living in County Durham is well on the way to meeting its £600,000 target.

So much cash has already flowed in that the county's first dedicated consultant in palliative care has been appointed, along with extra Macmillan nurses who work in the community.

A recent fundraising cycle through Hamsterley Forest attracted more than 100 people, pushing the figure over the £400,000 mark.

Mrs Peacock, along with her husband, Jonathan, and mother, Patsy Dingwall, has spent the past 18 years transforming the garden into a paradise which includes ponds, woods and an orchard.

She said: "Things are going wonderfully well, but I wanted to do my bit to help the fund.

"Losing Penny is one of the things that drives me to try to raise money for Macmillan."

Her garden, at Ravensford Farm, Hamsterley, County Durham, will be open from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday, July 27. Entry is £2.50.

Visitors will also get the chance to buy plants from the normally trade-only New Row Farm Nurseries at Tow Law.

The owners, Norman and Eileen Ridley, are donating plants for sale.