A NEW garden is being opened to help raise money for the British Red Cross.

Every year people open their gardens to the public to raise money for the County Durham and Teesside branch of the charity.

The new garden, owned by Harry and Jean Walton, is at Staindrop House, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle.

It took the couple four years to transform their plot from a wilderness full of weeds into a show garden, and there is still work to be done.

Mr Walton said: "It will be another two years until I am totally finished with it."

Garden organiser Russell Borthwick said: "Visitors will find some very choice plants here.

"The garden is extensive and every hidden corner will reveal something interesting and unusual to delight all plants enthusiasts. "

Staindrop House will be opened to the public on Sunday, between 2pm and 6pm. Admission is £2 per adult, with no charge for accompanied children.