KEIGHLEY-district gardens are again being opened-up to the public as part of an annual initiative.

The National Garden Scheme, founded in 1927, raises money for several charities.

Its inception has a close association with nursing, after Liverpool merchant William Rathbone employed a nurse to care for his wife at home.

Following his wife's death, he kept the nurse on to help poor people in the neighbourhood.

He also raised funds for recruitment, as well as the training and employment of nurses to go into deprived areas of the city.

This early idea of 'district nursing' soon spread throughout the UK.

Opening gardens to the public for a fee developed from an idea to raise money for a special fund set up in memory of Queen Alexandra, to train and also support nurses who were retiring.

The legacy continues, with more private gardens being opened to the public to view at specific times during the year.

Local participants include Brookfield in Jew Lane, Oxenhope.

The one-acre garden will be open from 1.30pm to 5pm on Sunday, June 3 and Wednesday, July 4.

The garden features steps and paths and a large pond with mallards, wild geese and greylags. It also boasts blooms including primula, candelabra and florindae and azaleas.

Young visitors can enjoy a 'round and round the garden’ quiz.

And Bramble Croft, in Howden Road, Silsden, will be open for small groups between May and September.

It is described as "a small, hidden hillside artist's garden bursting with colour and texture".

The garden features newly-developed borders including perennials, ferns, climbers, grasses, topiary and sculptures.

The haven for wildlife also boasts a pond and bird and insect boxes.

For more information, e-mail deb2711@googlemail.com or call 01535 658032.

* Further details about the National Garden Scheme can be found at ngs.org.uk.