GREEN-fingered volunteers have launched an open garden event to raise vital cash for spectacular floral displays in Walton.

Walton in Bloom volunteers plant and maintain flowers, bulbs and hanging baskets around the town to brighten it up every summer.

The displays cost about £6,500 every year and an open garden event has been organised to rake in cash towards that final total.

The event, now in its sixth year, will see 18 of the top gardens around Walton opened up to the public as part of a fundraising trail.

Walton in Bloom chairman Greg Lashmar said: “This is the biggest and best Open Gardens event to date featuring a bumper 18 gardens, all open to the public."

The gardens will be open from 10am-5pm on June 21 and 22.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and cover both days.

Maps of the gardens are available for free at the Walton Community Project office, the town council office at the Triangle and Parker’s Nursery, or online at waltoninbloom.org.