The owners of a stunning Teesdale garden, which opens to the public in aid of charity, have been given recognition for their efforts.

Jonathan and Caroline Peacock moved into Ravensford Farm, in Hamsterley, near Bishop Auckland, in 1984, and have transformed a field into a well-manicured English country garden which, for ten years, has opened to the public to raise money for nurses charities through the National Gardens Scheme.

Mrs Peacock was presented with a commemorative trowel by Shanah Smailes, from the National Gardens Scheme, who said: "The trowel is given as a little bit of recognition for being open for ten years. It is a lovely garden to wander round.

"We've got 14 gardens in the county that open to the public and we're always on the lookout for more."

Mrs Peacock, whose garden raised £2,184 for charity since it opened, said: "We get a wide range of people coming to visit the garden, whether it's someone who just wants to sit and have a cup of tea outside or people who are seriously interested in gardening.

"It's nice to think our garden is giving people pleasure as well as helping a good cause."

Anyone interested in opening their garden in aid of the scheme, or anyone who can recommend another garden, can call 01748-812887.

Ravensford Farm is open on July 22, from 2pm to 5pm.