DOLLAR Open Gardens will be held next weekend.

Now in its tenth year, the event will raise money for Strathcarron Hospice.

Clacks residents will have the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful gardens in Dollar, with 23 in the town taking part.

Set for Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, it has been organised by a small committee of Margaret Stephenson, Janette MacMillan, Iseabal Daniel and Patricia Sutherland, along with plenty of help from the community.

Margaret said: "The first open gardens event was run by the local support committee of Strathcarron Hospice in 1989 when 50 gardens were opened to the public and the sum of £3,200 was raised which was a magnificent sum then.

"If you are keen gardener and want to see a variety of gardens ranging from small to large, walled to woodland settings newly developed to well established then come along to Dollar at the weekend."

The fundraising event is held every three years and, since it began a decade ago, more than £34,000 has been raised for the hospice which provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people in Forth Valley, along with those in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

The gardens will be open between 1.30-4.30pm and tickets can be purchased throughout its duration at the Burnside Hall or St James' Parish Rooms.

Priced at £5 per person, they are available at Brian Devlin’s, Dollar’s Deli, The Paper Shop and other local outlets beforehand, or from the gardeners taking part.

Dollar Horticultural and Garden Club will also hold its popular plant sale in support of the charity, at the marquee beside the hall.

Margaret said: "Dollar Academy pipers will be around the town to entertain you and there will be teas and coffees available in the Burnside Hall and St James' Parish rooms.

"There will also be the opportunity to buy locally grown flower and vegetable plants at the Burnside hall in Dollar Horticultural and Garden Club's biggest ever sale, all in aid of Strathcarron.

"Come along and support our local hospice while having a lovely day out in Dollar."

The plant sale will run between 10am-4pm on the Saturday, 1-4pm on the Sunday.

For more on the event, visit dollargardens.info/