A hospice has kicked off its annual open garden season which raises cash to help it support people with life-limiting illnesses.

Gardens across Sussex open their gates to the public for a small fee and the money goes to St Peter and St James Hospice for its vital work.

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Housing developer Taylor Wimpey South Thames has donated £500 towards the Hassocks Village Garden Trail which took place on June 9 and was part of the open garden event.

Wendy Agate, relationship fundraiser at St Peter and St James Hospice, which is in North Chailey near Lewes, said: "This year’s open garden season is off to a great start with some amazing gardens already revealed to the public.

"Taylor Wimpey’s kind support is greatly appreciated and will help us continue to deliver our vital service to those living with a life-limiting illness and their family and friends."

The event takes place every year (Image: Taylor Wimpey South Thames)

Mary O'Brien, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey South Thames, said: "St Peter and St James Hospice carries out crucial work across the West Sussex community and we were all too pleased to help support their fantastic open garden season.

"There have been some really beautiful gardens on show, particularly across the Hassocks Village Garden Trail, which we were honoured to attend in person.”

The hospice provides care across Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Lewes, Uckfield and villages in between.

This includes home visits from community nurses in cases where people prefer to stay in their own homes.

The hospice also has an inpatient unit that provides specialist care 24 hours a day for patients.

It is used as a short stay option to either help reduce the effects of difficult symptoms in patients such as pain or breathlessness, or to support patients who are approaching the end of their life. 

The hospice said its mission is to support people to "live and die well" based on what matters to them.