Thousands of pounds was raised by gardeners flinging open their gates in memory of a woman who died of cystic fibrosis.

This year the perennially popular Epping Open Gardens offered visitors the chance to look around ten well-loved and beautifully tended gardens.

Aided by the good weather, £2,565 was raised for a number of local and national charities including All Saints Church, Epping Upland, Children with Cancer, Chigwell Riding Trust, Epping In Bloom and St Clare’s Hospice.

As with the event's previous two outings, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust was also a recipient, thanks to Becca Ashton - a resident of Epping Forest who was diagnosed with the condition when she was two.

Carol Burrows, a long time Bloom organiser and wife of former Epping Town Mayor Les, said: "Becca spent most of her life with cystic fibrosis and knowing that the time she had with us would be limited by her illness, she lived her short life to the utmost.  

"She gave the best of herself and inspired others to do the same.

"Sadly she recently left us, whilst under the care of St Clare’s Hospice.

"When the next event takes place in 2020 we will again support St Clare’s and a dementia care charity."

Ms Burrows urged enthusiastic volunteers to help organise next year's event and open their gardens to the public.

 Please join us in putting together this new event. We need enthusiastic volunteers prepared to open their gardens to the public.

Call Susan Axford on 01992 561588.