GARDEN lovers have received a major boost with the news that the Royal Horticultural Society's Harlow Carr centre in North Yorkshire is reopening.

The centre will only be opening through a pre booked system so managers can control social distancing and numbers of people in the site at Harrogate. They say due to high levels of interest already people may have to wait to get a booking but are appealing to people to bear with them.

A spokesperson said: "Our foremost priority remains the health and safety of our members, visitors and staff and we will do everything possible to ensure all Government social distancing measures are followed.

"All visitors are required to pre-book a timed entry slot in advance of their visit and the number of visitors entering the gardens will be limited each day. Additional safety measures have been implemented and areas within the gardens where it is difficult to maintain social distancing remain closed."

Harlow Carr is one of the RHS's five sites throughout Britain and one of the most popular public gardens in the country. It was originally run as the Northern Horticultural Society who bought the site in 1946 before being merged in 2001 with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Tickets can be booked through the website at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr