THIS weekend will be the last chance to see the sculptures and rare rhododendrons on show at Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon.

For the first time at this annual event, the 75 sculptures include bronzes and animal sculptures by York artist Sally Arnup.

The 20-acre gardens are considered to have the north’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. On show are 20,000 plants including 1,400 rhododendron and 250 azalea varieties and 150 different magnolias.

The rhododendron collection features 70 different species on the international Red List of plants threatened with extinction.

Owner Peter Roberts says: “Last summer and autumn was a very busy time for us both choosing exciting new sculptures to enhance the site and doing lots of replanting. We continue to expand our collection which now includes some of the rarest Himalayan plants to be found anywhere in Britain.” The gardens are open daily from 10am to 4pm until Sunday. A nursery is selling nearly 200 different varieties of rhododendron as well as many other ericaceous shrubs and perennials.

Light refreshments are available and admission is £6, children under 12 free.