A COUPLE who have shared their lifelong passion for gardening together are set to their life’s work with other horticultural enthusiasts for the 24th year.

Colin and Eve Scott, who have tended to their walled garden for 62 years, are planting and pruning in preparation for their immaculate garden going on show as part of a fundraising effort for a North-East hospice.

This year’s biennial Stokesley Open Gardens event has set a target to beat the £10,000 fundraised in 2015 for the Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough, by opening up 20 gardens in the town.

Mr and Mrs Scott’s garden is one of the 20 included in the 2017 effort which will see gardeners sharing advice with budding enthusiasts.

Mrs Scott said: “My mum was a very keen gardener and I remember from an early age her propagating her plants.

“I take after her in that way, as I look after all my cuttings and pop them into a spare bed if I can find one.

“After two years I root them up before transferring them to pots and then I sell them at our plant stall during Stokesley Open Gardens to raise funds for the hospice.”

The couple have supported fundraising campaigns for the hospice for several years and are looking forward to the upcoming July event.

Mr Scott, who is originally from Middlesbrough, said: “We have so many happy memories of this Open Gardens event in the lovely community of Stokesley and hope that people will come and continue to support it.”

Several gardens open on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, will also have plants and refreshment on sale to raise more funds for Teesside Hospice.

Volunteer coordinator of the event, Julia Haigh, said: “When you visit Eve and Colin’s garden and walk through the gate in the wall, it is like opening a secret treasure – you have no idea that such a wonderful space is hiding there.

“The house and walls around the garden are made of handmade bricks, it’s simply stunning.”

She added: “We have even more new and varied gardens open at this year’s event, including Stokesley Allotments, so we’re really excited.

“The Farmers’ Market is also taking place during the weekend so Stokesley will be buzzing with people.

“It’s going to be a lovely weekend and hopefully we can raise as much as possible for our local hospice.”

Programmes with details and a map of all open gardens can be bought from teessidehospice.org