Green-fingered Locks Heath couple call it a day

Keith and Terri Sandy have allowed people in to admire their hard work – and in return the public have made donations towards charities such as Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes and Macmillan Cancer Support.

But now the couple have decided to hang up their gardening gloves.

Mrs Sandy said: ‘Nine years ago, we opened our garden for the first time. We had a plant sale and took donations, and this year we decided it was time to stop.

‘We are in our 70s now and this last year has been just to painful to manage. It was our last one.’

Every year the couple have landscaped their Locks Heath garden to look like something out of a magazine, all in aid of charity.

Their last open garden event raised more than £500 in one day.

Mrs Sandy said: ‘I honestly couldn’t say how many people come through the gate. We have one chap who comes in, donates in the box and leaves, but we’ve never been able to chase him up.

‘Everyone who comes is always so generous.’

The couple say they will continue to have a plant sale to help charities.

EMMA ROSSITER