HUNDREDS of floristry fans flocked to see gardens and courtyards in full bloom around Harwich for an annual garden event.

Visitors from around the town and further afield visited a total of 29 gardens hidden behind historic homes as part of this year's Secret Gardens weekend.

Organisers are in the process of counting how much was raised from the event which will be donated to Harwich Food Bank and Harwich Girl Guides.

A small proportion of the income is also set aside each year to plant trees in Harwich, to provide a permanent improvement to the town.

Jackie Denton, Secret Garden spokesman, said about 600 people visited the gardens over the weekend.

She said: "I think people were really excited by the gardens, especially on the LV 18 vessel, which was first.

"They are all really hidden, some are through alleyways and you have to go through people's houses to get to others.

"Some people that are born in Harwich find them really interesting.

"Others like to get ideas for how to design their own gardens and draw inspiration from the event."