ONE of Herefordshire's brightest gardens has helped funding for St Michael's Hospice blossom.

Visitors to the annual Hellens Garden Festival in Much Marcle, near Ledbury, have helped raise more than £10,500 for the Bartestree-based Hospice, while just over £3,500 was collected for the Back to the Wild project.

A highlight of the two-day festival was the eye-catching Mandala pattern, created using recycled and natural items.

The festival's creative director, Gail Calthrop, said the event had been a great success.

'We had a record amount of plant stalls with an array of many plants, shrubs and trees to please all our gardening visitors,' she said.

'And with many other exhibitors, local food and drink producers, talks and walks, key note speakers, demonstrators and all day music, there was something to engage everyone.'

This year's theme was Growing Today for all our Tomorrows, and the festival launched with a talk from BBC Radio 2's gardening guru, and St Michael's Hospice supporter, Terry Walton.

Other highlights included a new sculpture trail and creative community art work, plus a range of exhibitors and speakers.

'With our theme of Growing Today for all our Tomorrows, it was wonderful to watch the young blacksmith and wood joinery apprentices enthusiastically demonstrate their growing skills and engage energetically with the visitors,' added Gail.

'We are grateful for their input and support.

'Thank you to all those who sponsored, supported, volunteered, visited, spoke and made music, and made it the successful festival in a garden that it is.'