AN open gardens scheme in Kinver has helped to pull in more than £3,100 for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Green-fingered residents at Silva Nova, Willow Hill, Cobweb Cottage, April Cottage, Chestnut Lodge, Greenfields, 4 The Grazings, 22 and 70 Church View Gardens threw open their gardens as part of the June 25 and 26 scheme - organised by the Mary Stevens Hospice Kinver Volunteer group to help boost hospice funds.

Garden lovers from as far as Burton-on-Trent visited the picturesque village as part of the event, which charged visitors £3 to see all nine gardens taking part.

Janet Jones, head of fundraising at the Oldswinford hospice, said: “The group working on this event and all the owners of the gardens have worked extremely hard to pull the weekend together.

“The changing weather conditions always prove a challenge for gardeners, particularly when they wish to display their gardens in prime condition to visitors.

“The event was a huge success and brought some happy visitors to Kinver village.”

She said organisers, led by Sylvia Sidaway, were now considering making the scheme an annual event.