Green-fingered folk are being invited to make their gardens sparkle this summer with a visit to the newly refurbished Hidden Gem Garden Centre in Manchester City Council’s Heaton Park.
The centre is a must for all plant lovers, with a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants including specialist champagne strawberry and cherry tomato hanging baskets.
Heaton Park's DIY Gardening Club, which meets every Friday during the summer, will also be on hand at the event from 12-2pm to answer queries that any green-fingered visitors may have.
The centre's new café, set in the centre's peaceful surroundings, will also be open, offering a selection of food including delicious homemade soups and cakes.
The City Council is encouraging residents to use Manchester's parks as part of the year-long Proud Of Manchester campaign, which celebrates life in the city's neighbourhoods.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Arts and Leisure, who officially opened the centre, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity, not only for gardeners to see what's on offer at the newly-refurbished centre, but to pay a visit to Heaton Park.
"Those in the know keep returning for outdoor fun in this beautifully maintained Green Flag park - one of the largest publicly owned parks in Europe - as word spreads about the variety of exciting activities available here in Manchester."
The garden centre can be found near the park's bowling greens and the nearest entrance, if travelling by car, is St Margaret's Road. For more information, visit the centre's new website at: www.hiddengemgardencentre.co.uk