WITH spring and summer just around the corner, it's that time of year again for the St Luke's Hospice Open Gardens Scheme.

Last year, the first, the scheme raised more than £20,000 from 20 gardens. The scheme aims to showcase some of the hidden gems throughout East Cornwall, Plymouth and South West Devon, helping to raise vital funds for the hospice.

Senior community fundraiser Stephanie Cherington said: 'Following the success last year, we really hope that the Open Gardens Scheme will be popular once again and this time we have got even more beautiful gardens to choose from.'

St Luke's relies heavily on community fundraising as Government funding covers less than 30% of its annual costs. Each year, St Luke's needs to raise at least £4-million from the communities it serves in order to stay open - that is why public support is so important.

Gardens in the Times circulation area that are open for the scheme are: April 3, Pentillie Castle and Estate, St Mellion; May 22, Thorn Cottage, Burn Lane, Brentor; June 5, various gardens in Gunnislake; June 19, Whiteford, Stoke Climsland; July 10, Wildside, Green Lane, Buckland Monachorum; July 24, Alpine House, Bere Ferrers; September 11, Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot; October 15, Weir Quay.

For a full list of the 26 gardens that have signed up for the scheme visit http://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk">www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk