Strawberry afternoon tea, a large orchard and an array of potted plants will greet visitors to an open garden in the heart of Ipswich this weekend.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWNBob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Former Suffolk police chief Bob Lawrence is welcoming people into his garden in Norwich Road – which spans over a third of an acre – to raise hundreds of pounds for St Elizabeth Hospice on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-5pm.

This year residents can enjoy the 70-year-old’s carefully crafted flower beds as part of the hospice’s garden trail which runs from April to August.

More than 100 gardeners are taking part in the scheme.

Mr Lawrence said: “We’re really happy to be doing this and we’re hoping we raise even more than last year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWNBob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“I’ve spent the last couple of days cleaning up damage done by the storm but now things are looking good again.

“There’s a sunken terrace in the garden and a lawn that used to be a tennis court.

“We’ve got plenty of plants such as lupins and roses.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Bob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWNBob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWN

East Anglian Daily Times: Bob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWNBob Lawrence will be opening up his garden this weekend on Norwich Road to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWN