Keen gardeners should head for St Leonard's Hospice, Tadcaster Road, York, on Sunday to attend a giant plant sale to raise funds for the Hospice Appeal.

The event is expected to attract a lot of interest, and a fictional character from the BBC's The Archers will also be calling in to check out the bargains.

Graham Roberts, who plays Yorkshireman George Barford, the retired gamekeeper married to Christine Archer in the long-running soap, lives at Copmanthorpe and is keen to support the work of the hospice and its appeal for funds to finish its redevelopment project. Hospice fundraising manager Janet Morley said: "The plant stalls at our summer fairs organised by our gardeners have always been extremely popular due to the range of interesting and high quality plants.

"This is the second plant sale that has been organised as a separate event. All

kinds of herbaceous, herbs and bedding plants have been arriving at the hospice.

"We are so pleased that Graham will be there, although perhaps not many people will recognise Graham unless he speaks in his George Barford voice!"

Yvonne Robert, Graham's wife, said: "We are often away but we are pleased to be here this week and to support the wonderful work of the hospice. The volunteer gardeners put in many hours here every week and they are preparing an interesting selection of plants for sale - I think we should get there early."

The plant sale, with refreshments, runs from 10am to 2pm. Admission is free.