A castle's exotic gardens are being thrown open to the public.

Visitors on the tours being conducted by the head gardener at Arundel Castle will be able to spot guavas, papaya, chilli peppers and Mediterranean flowers.

Also on show will be the castle's peach and vine houses, its ancient trees and palms and its "prairie meadow"

Led by either head gardener Gerry Kelsey or deputy head gardener Isobel McKinley, the first tour will be held on Friday May 18.

For further information, contact Arundel Castle on 01903 882173, log onto www.arundelcastle.org or email info@arundelcastle.org Meanwhile rampaging knights knocking each other off horses will form the centre piece at the castle's summer of fun.

Re-enactment groups will stage a series of jousts at weaponry demos at Arundel Castle on the Bank Holiday at the end of May and in August.

Visitors will also get the chance to meet the competing knights and also mingle with the Raven Tor re-enactment group which will be taking part in combat tournaments and armour making.

The events are on May 27 and 28 and August 4 and 5.