Budding Alan Titchmarshes and anyone thinking of getting green-fingered this summer have been encouraged to visit the Ashby Open Gardens next weekend (June 18-19).

The event has returned after taking an enforced break due to Covid-19.

But organisers believe it will be as popular as it was before - and even the weather will not stand in their way.

Steve Mills, who organises the event with his wife, says people will be keen to get and see what people are doing with gardens come what may.

He told Ashby Nub News: "We've had people in their cagoules and galoshes before if it's been raining.

"Good weather would be nice, but we're not dependent on it."

Steve believes that people will be able to pick up tips and ideas from the two days of the Open Gardens.

And he feels that a town setting can be more beneficial than a village event.

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He added: "What we see with the Ashby Gardens is a town setting, which can mean smaller areas and ideas with what to do with those properties.

"We're seeing a lot of new builds in Ashby at the moment, and often, the gardens aren't that big. - but that doesn't mean to say you can't do anything with them.

"Walking around the Open Gardens next week could offer up some suggestions as what to do with smaller spaces.

"Often, at a village open gardens in a rural setting, you'll find bigger gardens which look very nice.

"But we hope that visitors to the Ashby Gardens will pick up some practical ideas during the weekend."

The event has grown since the event first started and now that Covid restrictions have eased, Ashby Open Gardens is back on the events calendar again.

You will need a £5 event 'passport' - which includes a map - to do the tour of the houses taking part - which are in different parts of the town.

These can be purchased from Ashby Toolbox in Market Street, North's and La Zouch in Kilwardby Street.