HELLENS Garden Festival raises huge sums of money for St Michael's Hospice each year - and 2017 was no exception.

A wonderful £10,575 was collected during the two-day festival in June which included a new sculpture trail and an eye-catching Mandala art feature made up of natural and reused items.

Friends, supporters and sponsors of the festival gathered at Hellens where the donation was handed to St Michael's, along with a further £3,250 to the Back to the Wild project.

Gail Calthrop, the festival's creative director, said; 'With such a successful and enjoyable event this year for visitors, exhibitors and our beneficiaries, we are excited to be visioning and planning next year's festival, June 9-10.

'This will build on and develop the ecological and sustainable green approaches to gardening and living that the festival has always supported, and showcase innovative and inspiring practices and interactive activities.'