A CHARITY opened its garden to the public this weekend for them to enjoy the produce they had created over the summer.

For the last eight years, the Ridgeline Trust has welcomed the public into its therapeutic garden, for a harvest fete.

This year the charity raised a record breaking £1,650, from selling its produce and stalls on the day.

Visitors were able to enjoy a BBQ, brick-a-brac, tombola and were able to purchase a large amount of onions and garlic that had been grown in the garden.

The money raised will then go back into the charity, to pay for gardening equipment, plants and seeds.

Graham Johnson, company secretary, said that the garden is there to help people with mental and physical problems.

He said: "We're here all year round to support people with mental and physical problems. We're here to give them a reason to get out of bed, meet up with friends and give them a purpose.

"The harvest fete is great, because it gives our clients something to work towards."

Mr Johnson explained that the charity is open all year round and that the new pavilion enables sessions to be carried out even in the winter months.

He said: "Our sessions are not necessarily for people who are really keen on gardening. It is more about the social aspect and giving them something to do.

"During the winter we still have sessions, and our clients will make Christmas wreaths or collages instead."

The charity are now planning a pumpkin carving event close to Halloween.