SECRET gardeners will once again be opening up their private gardens to the public in Harwich next month.

Harwich Secret Gardens will see a total of 18 gardens opened for people to enjoy on Saturday, July 10.

The popular event, which is taking place for the tenth time, takes place every year, but was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Frances Vincent, from of Helens Green, who is part of the secret gardens event, said: "The gardeners of Harwich are pleased to announce that 18 Harwich gardens will be open for our 10th year.

"It is a great day out enjoyed by many local people who return year after year and also by out of town visitors and we usually attract a few international visitors.

"While none of the gardens are large, it shows what can be done with ingenuity in a small space, each one very different. So come and be amazed."

Entry booklets are £5 and will be on sale about two weeks before the event from the visitors centre at Harwich Quay.

On the day they will also be available from St Nicholas Church.

"Harwich Haven Authority has kindly sponsored this year’s programme," added Mrs Vincent.

"Most of the money raised goes to local charities.

"Previous recipients have included the Ark Centre, tree planting initiative, Harwich People’s Community kitchen, Community food bank, various youth organisations to name but a few.

"A small amount has been used to provide flower planters in Harwich and thousands of daffodils on the bypass."

The charitable gardeners bought six planters to decorate the town in 2008, but within 24 hours one was stolen. Others were also targeted by vandals.

The pots - along with the planting of about 1,500 daffodil bulbs at the start of the bypass in Harwich - were part of efforts to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower ship’s voyage in 2020, although the celebrations were delayed until this year following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The gardens will be open from 11am to 4pm.