THE historic home of one of the region's most colourful characters is opening its gardens to raise money for a popular charity.

Bobby Shafto's old mansion, Whitworth Hall, near Spennymoor, County Durham, is welcoming visitors to its grounds on Sunday as part of the British Red Cross Open Gardens Programme.

Visitors can tour the estate's Victorian walled garden, stroll along woodland paths or feed deer grazing on some of Durham's finest parkland.

Inside the recently restored walled area, there are extensive mixed borders, an orchard and Europe's most northerly vineyard.

There are children's play facilities and refreshments available at Whitworth Hall Country Park Hotel or Shafto's pub.

It is open from 2pm to 6pm. The £2 admission charge will go towards Red Cross services in the region. Accompanied children are admitted free.