FIVE gardens are to be opened to the public for a day next weekend.

Families from Tudhoe Village will open their gates to raise money for the St Cuthbert's Hospice appeal.

Two months ago, The Northern Echo teamed up with St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, to launch the Key Appeal - a drive to build a £3.2m extension which would provide round-the-clock palliative care for terminally-ill patients.

Hospice trustee Gordon Allanson and his wife, Mavis, will open up their garden at 16 St Charles Road.

He said: "People like to see gardens on the same scale as their own, they can pick up ideas which they don't get from the gardens of a stately home." His garden has a pond, stream, manicured lawns, about 70 trees and spectacular delphiniums.

Others taking part are Don and Margaret Lavery at 30 Oval Park; John and Glenis Lowe at 28 Oval Park; Mr and Mrs Fountain at 46 Oval Park and the garden at York Villas, backing on to the village cricketfield, owned by Richard and Sheila Thompson.

The gardens will be open from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, July 10. There is limited disabled access and dogs are not allowed.

For details, or to make a donation to the appeal, please ring St Cuthbert's Hospice on 0191-386 1170