A group of green businesses in a 17-acre corner of an historic country park are throwing open their gates to the public next month.

Stanmer Organics in Stanmer Park, Brighton, will hold an open day on Saturday, August 3.

Established four years ago, the group is part of Brighton and Hove City Councils Agenda 21 project. It includes 18 small businesses, actively involved in seeking practical solutions to environmental changes, food production, green waste recycling and housing, with a strong commitment to education and research.

Alison Patrick, of Plant Pot, the latest business to join the scheme and one of the event organisers said: The open day will be a lot of fun and an opportunity for all age groups to learn a little more about these issues and have an opportunity to become more involved.

Ms Patrick and her business partner Jon Walker are running a Good Life-style project on half-an-acre to see if it would be possible for a family to be self-sufficient in fresh, organically-grown food.

She said: The three-year project should come up with some useful statistics and encourage more people to make the best use of the land

The open day, from 10am until sunset, will include craft workshops and demonstrations of stone carving and sculpture, traditional green wood working, yoga and movement, nature trails and an organic whole food cafe.

Plants, trees and fresh grown organic fruit and vegetables will be on sale.