Thetford may have been more at home in a fairytale at the weekend as more than 30 hidden gems were revealed at the town's open gardens event.

Thetford may have been more at home in a fairytale at the weekend as more than 30 hidden gems were revealed at the town's open gardens event.

From games, to mad hatters' tea parties, to a more tranquil setting with tree ferns, there was something for everyone with a wide range of gardens usually hidden from public view.

The fourth annual event continued to raise money for St Nicholas Hospice and there were hopes of beating last year's total of �4,926.

Highlights included The Paddock, on Ford Street, which backed onto the river, The Planes on Old Bury Road which once boasted a bowling green, woodland walk and boathouse and is being reverted to its former glory, and a small exotic garden complete with a koi pond on Woodlands Close.

Organiser Liz Hodgson, former chairman of the Thetford Friends of St Nicholas Hospice, said: “I hope it has shown people what the town is like because it's got a bit of a bad reputation. It also makes the town feel good.

“If people would like to open their gardens then we allow it because everybody has a different idea of what a garden should be.”

She added: “We had a very small spiel in the programme about St Nicholas Hospice and we hope people begin to realise it's not a place to go and die. It's a place to help people live with their terminal illness.”

And despite a changeable day with cloud and a spot of rain, scores of people turned out across the town to support the event.

Hospice community fundraiser, Sue Long, said: “The Thetford Friends of St Nicholas Hospice Care are a wonderfully supportive and loyal group and we are delighted that they are hosting this event for us again.

“The Thetford Open Gardens opens up a secret and wonderful world of beautiful gardens. Every year the popularity of this event has increased and this year over 30 gardens exhibited. Thank you to everyone who took part, everyone who visited and to the Thetford Friends for their loyalty and commitment to the work of the Hospice.”