PLANTS and gardens of all shapes and sizes were on show as green-fingered Witham residents opened their gardens to the public.
The Witham in Bloom event, held in gardens across the town, began at 11am on Sunday and ran until 6pm.
It saw 14 gardens throwing open their gates to the public to raise money for Farleigh Hospice as well as keeping the event going for future years.
"It was a really fantastic day with many visitors, all gardens were very well attended," said Annie Northfield, organiser and sponsorship coordinator of Witham in Bloom.
"There were lots of people in my garden, at the end I thought they'd all gone but there were a few still walking about and everyone seemed to enjoy it."
Witham MP Priti Patel and town mayor, Cllr Janet Money, joined Annie at the launch of the day at her garden in Avenue Road, Witham.
Over £2,000 was raised on the day with the sale of cakes, ploughman's lunches, cream teas and strawberries and cream, plus teas and coffees.
The money will be split between Witham in Bloom and Farleigh Hospice and events are held throughout the year to help raise money to pay for plants so the annual Witham in Bloom event can continue.
"A big thank you to everyone who helped out and opened their gardens, I'm really grateful to everyone, it was a lovely day – we were lucky with the weather which was beautiful," added Mrs Northfield, 65.
Gardens were also on show in Powers Hall End, Chipping Hill, Collingwood Road, Cut Throat Lane Allotments and Witham United Reformed Church in Newland Street.
Volunteer Mel Foster helped Annie with planting around the town in the build up to the open gardens, including at the station and the old magistrates court.
Witham in Bloom also hosts children's awards on July 9 at Maltings Academy that also sponsor the event.
