VOLUNTEERS with green fingers or a horticultural hobby are needed to help with an open garden scheme to raise funds for local children.

Childline's Open Garden Scheme needs people in Blackburn and Burnley to answer questions, take entry fees, liaise with garden owners or simply help promote and publicise the event.

The idea was planted in Cheshire last year and now includes gardens all over the North West, running from April to August.

Fund-raising manager Melanie Horton said: "We have small town gardens to large country homes and the gardens have something for everyone. We need people who can give up a few hours of their time on Sunday or Saturday over the summer, who may have a keen interest in gardening and would like to help.

"The garden owners open their gardens for free and so every penny raised goes to help Childline answer more calls."

The gardens on show include the Pendle Heritage centre in Barrowford -- an Eighteenth century walled garden with old varieties of plants.

If anyone is interested and would like to know more, please contact Melanie Horton or Joanne Summers on 0161 834 9945.