MEMBERS of Box Gardening Club have raised £1,100 for healthcare workers after being forced to cancel their annual plant sale in May.

Instead, they set up stalls and honesty boxes outside their homes and raised a magnificent £1,100 to give away.

The club's chairwoman Jill Chittenden and treasurer Ann Narraway presented a £900 cheque to Jenny Leggat-Green and Dr Jonathan Brown at Box Surgery.

In addition, they also donated £200 towards the Covid-19 fund.

Club programme secretary Veronica Wheeler said: "Box people showed their deep appreciation of the courage, dedication and hard work of local health care staff during the pandemic.

"Walkers and cyclists, taking exercise and keeping social distancing advice, were able to take away plants during their permitted hour and the result was a magnificent £1,100 raised in donations."

The club is now planning a Gardener's Question Time for members on the internet with resident expert John Tucker in the hot seat.

Mrs Wheeler added: “Although our garden visits have had to be postponed for the time being, the National Garden Scheme is starting to open some gardens again for pre-booked visits.

"Dauntsey Gardens at Malmesbury will be open locally during late June."