HARPERLEY Hall Farm Nursery is staging a special open day to enable the public to cast a glance at the working home of multi-award-winning garden creator Gary McDermott.

Mr McDermott, gardener Paul Hutchinson and their team were awarded another gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year, among many honours won round the country.

The garden is attached to the specialist plant nursery and is being developed round large ponds.

A tranquil environment, the garden is home to a colony of striking rainbow ants, while brightly-feathered lorikeet fly at liberty, both adding a dash of colour.

Most of the garden is wheelchair-accessible, but there are some slopes and irregular paths.

As it is coming to the end of the growing season, visitors can bag some bargains, including some plants rarely seen in this part of the world, with expert advice on hand from the Harperley Hall team.

The garden and nursery, at Harperley, near Stanley, DH9 9UB, are open from 10am to 4pm, on Sunday, with admission £3. There is no charge for children.

Parking is available within and nearby the nursery.

The event is being staged as part of the National Open Garden Scheme.