Community spirit was strong on Saturday at the New Mills open gardens' day for charity, which attracted around 90 people to Wye View and raised over £500.

The money will be split between St Michael's Hospice and the Air Ambulance Appeal.

Eleven gardens were opened under the banner of the Henry Boot Home Owners of Wye View, and organisers and visitors alike praised the friendly and festive atmosphere.

Event spokesperson Freda Rawle said: "Comments from a great number of visitors were very complimentary about the variety and attractiveness of open gardens and of the occasion as a fundraiser for two very worthy charities.

"Visitors also enjoyed tea on the green, strawberries and cream and cakes."

There were also stalls selling plants and bric-a-brac.

Mrs Rawle decided to support the open gardens' day for charity because her husband, Geoffrey, was looked after by St Michael's Hospice, before his death from cancer last year.

Mrs Rawle said: "We extended the spirit of working as a group by holding a do-it-yourself barbecue on the green on Sunday afternoon, following which the garden exhibitors were able to visit the other open gardens themselves and get a flavour of what our visitors had experienced the previous day.

"It was such an exhilarating experience to see our small community pulling together to support charity, through such a happy event with such a successful outcome."