More than £21,000 has been presented to a Bury St Edmunds-based charity following a successful open gardens event.

The 29th Hidden Gardens of Bury, which took place on June 21, saw owners open up 30 gardens to the public.

At a thank you party on Monday it was announced that this year’s event had raised £21,224 for St Nicholas Hospice Care, and a cheque was handed over to the charity.

Hospice chief executive Barbara Gale thanked everyone who had helped make the event such a success and paid special tribute to Trisha Mellor, founder of Hidden Gardens, who is celebrating her 100th birthday this month.

She also thanked the families and friends who helped the garden owners and the sponsors and many people who supported the event.

Jill Carter, one of the event organisers, said the ticket sales this year had been “just staggering”.

“We are absolutely thrilled [and] we are extremely pleased people are supporting the event,” she said.

The party was hosted by solicitors Gross & Co, one of the main sponsors, in the garden behind their offices in Guildhall Street.

Sales of tickets, plants and refreshments and money claimed through Gift Aid contributed to the total raised.