GREEN-FINGERED enthusiasts gathered for a gardening and tea party shindig hosted by a TV star.

Charlie Dimmock, of Ground Force fame, opened the Strictly Gardening event at The Orchards shopping centre in Haywards Heath on Saturday.

She took part in a panel-style question and answer session and spoke to curious shoppers about all things gardening.

The event theme was the ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, which brought an abundance of cakes and treats to satisfy sweet-toothed guests. Meanwhile, schools took part in the event’s Great Gardening Bake-Off competition.