DEVOTED gardeners on Canvey will be opening their gardens to the public to raise money for charity.

Visitors will be to able to get a peek behind the walls of nine of the island’s finest private backyards as part of a garden trail event being organised by Canvey Town Council.

Profits from the event will go to Cancer Research UK, which has been chosen by the authority due to the large number of Canvey residents whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Canvey councillor Doreen Anderson, who is organising the tour, said the idea came about after she entered the Castle Point in Bloom competition to find the finest garden in the borough.

Mrs Anderson, whose garden will be included in the trail, added: “I’ve put my garden in for Castle Point in Bloom every year for the last three years.

“The odd judge comes to look at it, but I thought isn’t it silly that you put all this effort in and no one gets to see it.

“People put an awful lot of effort into their garden and I think it’s good to show that off. I know one lady from Denham Road who is out doing things in hers every hour the daylight allows.”

The nine gardens on display include the communal garden created by residents of Sweetbriars Lodge sheltered home, in Link Road.

It is the first time a trail has been held on the island and Mrs Anderson believes looking round other people’s gardens will provide plenty of ideas for keen gardeners.

She added: “It’s about generally being nosey.

“You get some great ideas from the way people have done things in their garden, which you hadn’t necessarily thought about.”

“I’ve been on quite a few in place like Rayleigh, Leigh and Orsett and we thought it was about time Canvey had one.”

The tour will take place on Saturday, July 23, between 10am and 4pm.

Programmes giving details of all the gardens on display are available for £2 from the town council offices, in High Street, and St Nicholas Church, in Long Road.

For more information and to reserve a programme contact the town council on 01268 683965.