Visitors to a beautiful garden in Shirley raised more than £1,000 for needy children in India and Britain.

Ron and Lorna Hixon of Links View Road held two open days recently and people made donations to NSPCC and children's charity Reaching the Unreached, which works in India.

Despite heavy rainfall on both open days, June 16 and July 7, the Hixons managed to raise £270 more than last year, which Mrs Hixon, 73, thinks is down to bet-ter publicity.

There are rock gardens and a fishpond, and plants were sold at cheaper prices than most garden centres. Refreshments were served in their home's conservatory.

Mr Hixon said his wife first came up with the idea to use their garden to raise money for charity.

He said: "Friends and relatives used to come round and comment on how beautiful our garden was.

"So Lorna had an idea to open it for charity, and we gave it a try."

Reaching the Unreached is a foundation run by an English priest, Brother James, operating in South India. His work, which is similar to that of Barnados and Mother Theresa, includes taking in orphaned and destitute children and housing and educating them.

He also donates food to local children, whose families are unable to support them. The Hixons are determined to bring more publicity to what they consider a very worthwhile cause.

Mr Hixon, 67, said: "We first learnt about Brother James's work when one of his colleagues, Brother Dennis, visited our church, and preached about what he does in South India. We were moved by his appeal, and decided we wanted to support the cause".

The Hixons would like to thank Tesco in Elmers End and Synprobo Plant Pak, who helped make the event successful. They hope to open their garden again next year.