HUNDREDS of people took up the chance to see the hidden world behind the gates and garden walls of Harwich.

About 30 homes in Old Harwich opened to the public for the annual Harwich Secret Gardens event at the weekend.

Jackie Denton, one of the organisers, said: “I believe we sold between 500 and 600 entry brochures, meaning we think we have matched last year’s money of £3,000 over the weekend.

“The brochure is produced free by our chairman Hugh Tisdale and is paid for by local advertisers and sponsors like the Harwich Haven Authority and the Pier so all the money raised from entry will go to charities and local good causes voted for by our gardeners.”

She added: “The event went really well with people travelling from Ipswich, Haverhill, Chelmsford and further and one couple travelling back from Cornwall especially before catching their boat back to Sweden to see us. Lots of people love seeing the backs of the old properties in Harwich and discovering what is hidden behind doorways and gates that can’t be seen from the road and are fascinated to see several gardens with lawns, fish ponds and interesting features.

“We even have a roof garden included.”