A plant lover who launched a scheme to open people's gardens to the public is stepping down.

Grandmother Carolyn Edwards started Didcot's open gardens weekend six years ago to raise money for the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre at Caversham, which is used by patients from south Oxfordshire.

Carolyn Edwards and her granddaughter Amy, two, take a stroll in Mrs Edwards' garden

So far, the weekends have raised nearly £2,000.

An enthusiastic gardener and a member of the Cottage Garden Society, Mrs Edwards intends to quit next year.

"It's time for someone else to take over and hopefully increase the number of gardeners who kindly open their gates to the public for charity one weekend a year," she said.

Her garden will be open on June 21-22.

Mrs Edwards said that when she launched the scheme, some people doubted whether Didcot gardeners would be able to attract sufficient visitors.

"I think there was a feeling that we could not hold our own against open gardens in some of the prettier villages in the area," she said.

But starting with five gardens, interest has grown and this year there will be 17 gardens open from 2pm to 5pm over the weekend.

At Mrs Edwards' home, 23 Loyd Road, there will be plants and produce for sale.

Visitors will receive a list of gardens with their £2 admission fee.

Teas will be served at three of the gardens.

For the first time, there will be open gardens on the Ladygrove estates north of the town, and Mrs Edwards hoped gardeners in other parts of Didcot would open their gardens in the future.

For more information call 01235 812907.