HIDDEN in the depths of Nelson, a world away from the nearby busy main road, is a colourful, picturesque garden -- and for the first time it is being opened up to the public.

Sheila and Fred Horrocks, of Barkerhouse Road, have spent 15 years working on their garden and this year they will be taking part in the British Red Cross Open Garden scheme to help raise money for the charity.

They were asked to charge a small fee for members of the public to have a look around their 40ft by 60-yard garden on June 17 and they agreed to take part despite the open day falling on Sheila's 59th birthday.

Sheila said: "We both like gardening but we are both just self taught.

"I buy a lot of books and read up about different plants and watch gardening programmes.

"We have been adding to the garden gradually. I am not into these instant gardens because I am one of those kinds of people who likes to see things mature in time."

The couple have themselves looked around two or three other gardens which is when they met up with David Bollenberg, senior fundraiser for the Lancashire branch of the British Red Cross.

Sheila said: "I'm quite a private person but David talked us into opening our garden and I think like-minded people should enjoy looking round it.

"I think we have probably spent more on the garden over the years than we have on the house although it is just a hobby.

"I will never get bored of being in the garden even if I have to garden on my hands and knees.

Visitors to the garden will be able to wander around the two lawns, a woodland area at the top of the garden and see around 30 to 40 different types of plants and trees, including fabulous bamboo grasses, Australian and New Zealand tree ferns, handkerchief trees, rhododendrons and perennials.

The garden will open between 11am and 4pm and will cost £1.50 for adults and 50 pence for children.