They spend all year lovingly tending to their plants and last weekend saw proud gardeners in Blundeston and Wangford open their doors to the public.

Lowestoft Journal: Wangford Open Gardens event. Adrian Smith. number 4. Pictures: MICK HOWESWangford Open Gardens event. Adrian Smith. number 4. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Fifteen gardens in Blundeston opened with owners giving tours to raise money for the Blundeston in Bloom competition.

Chair of Blundeston in Bloom Graham Wade opened his Lound Road garden for the annual event and said it was a great chance to show off the village.

'It's surprising the amount of people we get that don't usually come to the village.

'It keeps the village alive and it keeps people coming, we want to give them something different

'All the money raised goes in the pot at the end of the day to keep Blundeston in Bloom going.'

Ali Shelton opened her Meadowlands garden for the weekend, and said she tries to do 'something different' each year the event runs.

'I spent about two or three hours out in the garden each day, just pottering and messing around but I enjoy it, it's a pastime.

'I think people like to look around because they might see something, an idea they like and could try out.

'And I love to see peoples' faces when they come in and see the garden.'

There was also a scarecrow trail, tombola, refreshments and plant sale during the Alice in Wonderland-themed event.

Over in Wangford, the church was the main attraction at the open gardens event organised by the wardens of St Peter and St Paul church.

Churchwarden Valerie Beckett said: 'It's not just a fundraising event, it's a church awareness day too.

'We have lots of different clubs in the church and support a lot of charities and we would love to have people either coming back to the church or have new people come in.

'We want people to see the church isn't all doom and gloom, we're actually quite useful!'

The Sole Bay singers performed for visitors, who had 10 gardens around Wangford to view.

Refreshments were served in the church, where people could also find out more about the clubs and groups which meet there.

Churchwarden Jackie Casement, who also opened her garden for the day, said: 'There are a lot of people with lovely gardens and this is a chance for people to see them.

'We have a lovely view and we like to share it, all that we have, we need to share.'

Are you organising a community event? Email polly.grice@archant.co.uk