VILLAGERS have been putting their green fingers to work in aid of St Leonard's Hospice in York.

The gardeners and flower arrangers of Colton, near Tadcaster, have been preparing for one of the major events of the village's year - the flower festival on Saturday and Sunday in aid of Colton Church and St Leonard's Hospice.

Three village gardens, including those of Alan and Evelyn Pennington and Priscilla Schilche, are opening to the public on both days from 10am to 4.30pm.

Admission is £1.50 for all three gardens, and there will be refreshments, strawberry teas and plants on sale.

The flower festival, which takes place in St Paul's Church, Colton, will be open for viewing from 10am to 4.30pm, on Saturday, and from 10.30am to 4pm, on Sunday.

The special weekend will finish with a thanksgiving service at 6.30 pm on Sunday.

A preview evening with a glass of wine, takes place on Friday from 7pm. Tickets are available by phoning 01904 744371, 744819 or 744361.

Janet Morley, fundraising manager at St Leonard's Hospice, said: "A village flower festival and open gardens in mid-June are quintessentially English. June is Hospice Awareness Month, and we are delighted that the people of Colton have generously offered a donation to St Leonard's from the proceeds of their hard work."

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, June 10, 2003