A FANTASY garden will be on show to help to save a sports and leisure centre in Bishop's Castle.

The unusual garden tucked away next to the church in the picturesque location of Hope Valley between Bishop’s Castle and Shrewsbury will be open to the public on Bank Holiday Monday (August 29).

It is open to help raise funds to save SpArC in Bishop's Castle.

The garden is set in just over one acre of sloping ground, bounded by a stream, woodland and a churchyard wall.

It contains a 450-year-old oak tree, lawns and flower beds, but much is man-made - paths, a shed in the shape of a chapel, a glass tower, an obelisk, several life-sized animals in fibreglass and metal, and a giant tortoise that guards the entrance to an underground tunnel.

Those brave enough to enter the tunnel may find their way to a staircase which leads upwards to a bridge across to the front lawn. There are other surprises round every corner.

Alan and Claire Terrill have developed this garden over the last 15 years and it has only been open to the public once in all that time.

“I was looking at my garden in the sun the other day and thought ‘that’s looking good', perhaps we should open it for something – what about for Sparc?” said Alan.

“We are not far from Bishop’s Castle and really value the facilities at SPARC”

The garden is at 5 Hope Valley, Hope, Minsterley, SY5 0JB on the main A488. It is the green bungalow right next to the old Minsterley Vans petrol station.

Visitors can see the garden between 11am and 4pm.