VILLAGERS in Earl's Croome are throwing open the gates to their gardens this weekend in a desperate bid to save their crumbling church tower.

Twelve green-fingered residents will welcome visitors to their picturesque cottage plots on Sunday as part of a final push to raise £120,000 for St Nicholas Church.

Organisers of the Earl's Croome Garden Trail will be selling teas and plants in the village hall from 1pm to 5pm, where trail maps detailing the gardens open will also be available.

Since its launch 18 months ago, dedicated fund-raisers have managed to drum up more than £100,000 of support through barn dances, sponsored rounders matches, charity air flights and teddy bear's picnics.

A 12-mile horse ride is also planned for Sunday, September 14, around the village, near Upton-upon-Severn, and surrounding communities.

Christine Gledhill, a teacher at Malvern College and member of the Tower Project

fund-raising

committee, said the tower's supporters were now about £8,000 short of the target.

"We're desperate to save the tower for future generations. It's a piece of history that, if it's allowed to crumble, we'll never be able to replace," she said.

"Hopefully, when this work is done, it will long outlast all of us.

Phase one of the work, to repair the roof, has already been completed.

If enough money is raised, phase two, the finishing touches to the tower, will start next month.

Admission for the whole trail costs £3.

More information is available from Irene Skeys on 01684 593885.

Donations to the tower fund can be made through Mrs Gledhill on 01684 592709. More details on the charity horse ride will be made available later in the summer.