Visitors flocked to Clavering on Saturday (August 1) as the gardens of many historic houses in the village were open to the public for the first time.

The good weather brought around 300 people to the open gardens event, with more than £3000 being raised for the campaign, Hands off Clavering, which is fighting against a housing development being built on Greenfield land at Pelham Road.

Gardens at Danceys, Bakers, Stort Cottage, Chestnut Cottage, Ponds, Piercewebbs, The Old Guildhall and Blacksmiths Cottage, plus three modern houses in Pelham Road and Colehill Close were all open to visitors.

With many gardens open for the first time, the day proved to be a unique opportunity for visitors to see the gardens of such historic houses in full bloom.

Teas were provided by Mrs Tina Brown at Bakers in Middle Street, and a successful plant sale and raffle, with many excellent prizes, were also held on the day.