They have raised thousands for charity by sharing their garden with the public.

And this weekend John and Brenda Foster are once again opening their one-acre Redisham garden in aid of the National Garden Scheme.

They have supported the scheme, which splits proceeds between charities including Macmillan and Marie Curie Cancer Care, for nearly 40 years.

The garden at Gable House will be open on Sunday for their Snowdrop Day and the Fosters hope people will come and enjoy their plants and raise money for good causes.

Mr Foster said: 'It's the end of winter and the beginning of spring and snowdrops give you a bit of a lift and I think people are astounded by the colours in a winter garden.'

The couple have been collecting snowdrops since the 1980s and their garden boasts a variety of rare and unusual snowdrops - all with their own story.

'Of course the history adds to the appeal,' said Mr Foster. 'You can trace some of the bulbs back through the last 50 to 100 years.'

And while they only open to the public three days a year, the couple's beautiful garden is a year-round commitment.

Mr Foster said: 'It's continuous work, the earliest snowdrops start to emerge in September and the later ones go through to the end of March, early April.'

But all the hard work is worth it for the couple, who last year raised £2,250 with their snowdrop day.

Mrs Foster said: 'We love to share our garden with friends and visitors who always seem to enjoy the variety of winter flowering plants. It has become a whole village event and we are very grateful to all our family and neighbours who come and help us'

The garden at Gable House, Redisham, will be open on Sunday, February 14, from 11am to 4pm. Admission is £4.

There will be snowdrop, aconite, hardy cyclamen and other bulbs for sale. Soup lunches and homemade teas will also be available.

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