HUNDREDS of people flocked to Portishead’s Open Gardens weekend.

Green fingered enthusiasts inviting the public into their gardens had feared the worst after months of planting, pruning, weeding and watering were put in jeopardy by a week of wind and rain.

Despite a gloomy start, the rain stayed off on Saturday and Sunday morning allowing the event to go ahead.

There were 18 gardens involved in the event, which is one of the main fundraising activities of the year for Portishead in Bloom.

Group chairman Sandy Tebutt said: “People came along in their droves on Saturday when it was fine and they trickled through on Sunday before the rain arrived. From children to senior citizens, everyone seemed to have a lovely time and supported the various fundraising activities going on in the gardens.”

Portishead in Bloom is now considering a future fundraising event to make up for a drop in programme sales, which is expected to show a dip in takings of more than �1,000.