GARDEN gates throughout the Ribble Valley will be thrown open to raise money for two village churches.

Visitors will be able to wander around and enjoy 23 gardens in Grindleton and Bolton-by-Bowland at this year's Through Country Garden Gates weekend.

The event is to raise money for St Ambrose and St Peter and St Paul's churches.

The gardens will be open from 11am until 5pm on July 1 and 2 and both churches will be decorated with flowers.

The Rev David Mewis said: "Each of our open gardens will bear our 'open gate' symbol and the name and number of the garden. There will be signposts to help visitors find their way around. "A warm welcome awaits you in our two village churches."

The fourth open garden festival, held every two years, boasts a variety of gardens from Gisburn Road through to Rod Hill Barn in Lambing Clough Lane. Some of the highlights are Nethergill, a 16th-century former inn with a walled garden and courtyard, Mint Cottage on the edge of the River Ribble and the Friends Meeting House with its cottage garden built over a graveyard.

The weekend will be rounded off with a floral songs of praise service, led by the Steeton Male Voice Choir, at St Peter and St Paul's Church at 6.30pm on Sunday.

Entry to the gardens is by programme, which cost £3 and can be purchased from either church, Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre and Bolton-by-Bowland Post Office. For further information ring Grindleton Rectory on 01200 441154 or Keith Garside on 01200 447679.