The proceeds of open gardens event held in Epping this May have been used to buy benches and planters.

In total £850 was raised in this year's Epping in Bloom after friendly gardeners threw open their gates to members of the public.

The money will be used to buy two new benches and four wooden planters for the Market Garden Terrace off Epping High Street.

Two giant pots now feature two bay trees which will become the Epping in Bloom Christmas trees.

Victoria Robertson, Epping in Bloom chairwoman, said: "The gardeners were invited for pancakes and Prosecco and to see the newly installed items.

"The gardeners were so thrilled to see that the money they raised has been put to such good use for the community to enjoy."

She went on to thank the gardeners for their fundraising efforts and said the new benches will provide much-needed additional lunchtime seating.