INTERNATIONAL floral designer Craig Bullock has travelled the world demonstrating his art -- but some of his finest work can be found on his own doorstep.

Craig, 42, of Montford Cottage, Fence, and his partner Tony Morris have spent the past 18 years lovingly tending their amazing garden and creating elegant 'garden rooms' from land which started life as a grassed plot with a few shrubs dotted around.

On Saturday and Sunday they are throwing open the gates of their walled garden to the public for two 'garden open' afternoons under the National Gardens Scheme.

Craig's mum, 77-year-old Marjorie Zak, will bake 250 scones on Saturday morning and her son will prepare a further 200 for Sunday's guests. For anyone who needs the loo there is a toilet specially built for visitors as an add-on to her home, an annexe to the main cottage.

The gardens will be open from 2-6pm both days and admission is £2 for adults and 50p per child. Dogs on leads are also admitted and proceeds go to various charities, including 70 percent to the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund.

Craig and Tony have opened their garden to visitors for the past 10 summers and last year raised £1,260 when about 500 people visited in a single weekend. Helped by more than a dozen friends who supervise car parking, tea and coffee and admission fees, they also have a small plant sale to top up the charity coffers.

One of the most interesting features of the garden is a 27-year-old rare pocket handkerchief tree, originally from China -- the trees only flower when they reach the age of 25. Other attractions include a secluded tea house and an elegant Indian door, strategically placed among the plants to create added interest.

Craig's love of flower arranging began when, at the age of 12, he was cycling past Clayton-le-Moors horticultural show and saw a sign stating children's entries had to be submitted that morning.

"I went back with a handicraft, a picture and a flower arrangement. I came third with the flower arrangement -- there were only four entries in that class," he said. But the event had planted the seed in his mind and, after leaving school and working in a restaurant and in Marks and Spencer in Accrington, he set up his own little florist's shop in Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors.

He joined Accrington Flower Club and 22 years ago became the youngest regional demonstrator for the National Association of Flower Arrangers. Two years later, he became the youngest person to pass the national test.

"In 1988 I won best in show at our national show and that really started me off," he said. "I have been fortunate enough to go to Hong Kong, Pakistan, New Zealand, Barbados and Japan, teaching and demonstrating. All I take are my scissors.

"I am very fortunate that I do a job that I love. I am a people person and so meeting people from different cultures is just fantastic."

Craig teaches a City and Guilds course in contemporary floral design at South Trafford College, Altrincham, and is an external verifier who checks on standards and how courses are delivered in City and Guilds contemporary floral design, floristry and garden design. From September he will be studying a foundation course in fine arts/sculpture.

Craig is keen for anyone with a hint of interest in gardening to enjoy the floral delights on offer at the weekend. "I feel it is important to embrace everybody. Someone may have a minute interest now -- but in 20 years it may be much larger," he said.