THE inaugural Plant Fair at St Michael's Hospice will be a celebration of springtime gardening.

Plant lovers will have the chance to browse a wide range of flowers, shrubs, herbs and other greenery, all grown by professional and amateur gardeners.

The free event, on May 5-6, will feature exhibitors including Radway Bridge Garden Centre, Border Plants and Carrob Growers.

Other groups helping out include Garway Primary School whose pupils are growing plants to sell at the fair.

Refreshments will be available both days.

On the Friday, drop-in craft activities for pre-school children will be held between 11am - 4pm.

Then, on the Saturday, WildPlay, part of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, will be running playful activities for children, again between 11am - 4pm.

In total, eight businesses will be exhibiting their goods across the two days.

The Plant Fair marks the start of the Hospice's Open Gardens programme, which runs until October.

Among the many attractions is The Laskett Gardens in Much Birch, which are the creation of Sir Roy Strong, the Deanery and Canons' gardens at Hereford Cathedral (June 1) and Belmont Abbey (July 30).

For more details, visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk or pick up an Open Gardens brochure at the hospice in Bartestree, or in any of the hospice's retail outlets.