THE National Trust is inviting local people to visit the fascinating Stowe Gardens near Buckingham to help plant snowdrops and bluebells.

Head gardener Barry Smith said: "The early spring colour at Stowe will look stunning with the bulbs that have been planted over the last ten years.

"Since the trust started restoring the garden we have added to the stock of bulbs already growing there.

"We began the Grow with Stowe' initiative last year when volunteers bought and planted bulbs for the spring - and thought this year that we would open it up to the wider public."

Visitors will be able to purchase bulbs at Stowe's visitors centre on Sunday October 1, between 11am and 4pm.

They can then join the gardeners and help with the planting.

A map of where the bulbs have been planted will be sent to participants so that they can revisit the gardens in the spring and see their flowers blooming.

About 8,000 snowdrop and bluebell bulbs will be planted over the next few weeks.

Nursery owner David Wilcox, of Greatfield Plants, Greatworth, is supporting the initiative by donating 2000 snowdrops.

He said: "When Stowe contacted me and said what they were doing, I thought it was a great idea and wanted to show my support. Spring is a favourite time of year for me - when a garden comes to life, and I wanted to be a part of providing that magic at Stowe."

On Monday, local schoolchildren joined Mr Smith and Mr Wilcox at the gardens begin the planting.

Mr Smith said: "If any other school would like to join the Grow with Stowe' initiative and plant some of the donated bulbs, we'd like to hear from them."