Ref. 71213-53SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: MARVELLOUS marigolds and delightful dahlias have helped raise money for cancer patients in Swindon.

Green-fingered Purton residents threw open their gardens to help boost the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

In return for a donation, visitors had the chance to enjoy the colourful sights and fragrant scents of lovingly tended boarders, and pick up a few tips on garden design.

Besides turning the village into a floral haven, Purton In Bloom raised £1,700 for charity half of which will go to the cancer appeal.

Organiser Tony Price, 72, was thrilled this year's efforts.

"When we started planning this we only had 12 gardens, but word soon spread and eventually we had 34 open to the public," he said.

"The Macmillan appeal has really touched people and when we had our first meeting everyone said they wanted to support it. We always have a good show, but this year's was particularly good.

"We have a strong gardening club in the village, with between 80 and 90 members. It has also been a good summer for gardeners, with plenty of sun and rain."

The remaining £850 raised will pay for a slide for the village play area.

Villagers had to remove the old one because when it failed a health and safety inspection.

In addition, some householders put up stalls on their lawns, raising more than £1,800 for good causes.

The target of the Advertiser-backed Swindon Cancer Appeal is to raise £600,000 to pay for more specialist Macmillan nurses for the town.

The nurses offer personal care, support and friendship to those battling cancer.

If you are organising an event call the Macmillan office on 01793 601636.

Tamash Lal