A CHEQUE presentation was held after a popular annual event raised thousands of pounds.

This year’s Harwich Secret Gardens event in July raised £3,000.

The presentation was held last Thursday, at the Old Bank Studios, in King’s Quay, Harwich.

A £2,000 cheque was handed to Home Start in Harwich, while £500 was given to Friends of Esplanade Hall, in St Nicholas’ Church, where the money will be used to improve the community hall and provide kitchen equipment.

The remaining £500 was kept back by the organisation for next year’s 400th Mayflower anniversary, to plant flowers in the town.

Hugh Tisdale, Harwich Secret Garden’s chairman, said: “It is a shame that some of the organisations are not supported by the local government.

“These small organisations deserve to be supported.

“This amount is not huge, but it makes a great difference for them.”

This year they had 26 gardens opened, which draw in around 500-600 people.