WIMBORNE in Bloom opened 20 gardens to the public and raised nearly £5,000 in funds. 

Twenty gardens in and around Wimborne were opened to the public on June 30 by Wimborne in Bloom to help raise funds for the organisation. 

Open from 11am to 5pm, the group managed to raise £5,000 which will be invested into plants for flower towers, planters and hanging baskets around the town centre. 

Les Halton, Wimborne in Bloom committee member who organises and co-ordinates the day, said: "After we had the spring collection of gardens open in May we wondered how the second opening in the same year would go.

"We need not have worried because the day was a great success.

"After the early rain and the football later this could easily have had an effect on numbers attending but we still had over 400 visitors. Trade was also brisk at the gardens where teas were sold".

Wimborne in Bloom's next event is the annual duck race on August Bank Holiday Saturday, August 24.

Tickets will be on sale in Wimborne in the days running up to the race.

The group managed to raise £8,000 in it's May garden opening with associated donations taken into account.