GREEN-fingered Dulverton gardeners have for a second consecutive year helped the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group present a hefty cheque to Moorland Food Bank.

Partnership chairman Christine Dubery handed a £1,750 cheque to food bank chairman John Preston at the start of Dulverton’s family dog show held on the picturesque Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle, an event organised by Visit Dulverton volunteers to encourage the local tourism economy.

The money, which was £500 more than was presented last year, came from ‘Secret Gardens of Dulverton’ in June which was well attended by locals and visitors alike.

Ten private gardens were opened to the public for the day by enthusiastic local gardeners, and more than 250 people enjoyed strolling around the town, dropping in to the gardens, and refreshments in Dulverton Town Hall.

The Visit Dulverton committee decided to again donate the proceeds to the food bank, which serves a large area of Exmoor, south from Wheddon Cross and across to the east and west.

Mr Preston said: “We would like to thank the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group for their generous donation.

“It will help a lot of people who are in need of our support.”

Mrs Dubery thanked the garden owners, without whom the event could not take place, and said next year’s ‘Secret Gardens of Dulverton’ would be on Sunday, June 21.

Any of the town’s residents who would like to open their gardens should contact Visit Dulverton via its website for details, and also for information on other events.

The food bank, which has relocated to a former youth club building in Kemps Way, Dulverton, has been continuing to support people struggling with the cost of living crisis.

It is completing the transfer of the building from Somerset Council to provide the stability it needs to move forward and develop services.