ALMOST £3,000 was raised from a garden open day at the weekend.

The private gardens of Bledlow Manor, home to former foreign secretary Lord Carrington, were opened to raise money for Age UK Buckinghamshire.

The day raised £2,827, which will go towards alleviating social isolation and loneliness in older people throughout Bucks via the charity's Befriending Plus service.

The sun shone as more than 400 visitors enjoyed the special grounds, live music and afternoon teas.

The Carringtons took over the house on the family estate in the 1940s and set about restoring it, as well as redesigning the gardens with the help of landscape architect Robert Adams.

Now encompassing around ten acres, they stretch from a walled garden with an herbaceous border and gazebo, through to a croquet lawn surrounded by mixed borders, a water garden and parterre, a sculpture garden and the new Snail Garden, designed in memory of Lady Carrington.

The charity is grateful for the generous sponsorship from Bucks solicitors B P Collins LLP and the Bledlow WI who organised the cakes and served the teas.