THE healing properties of herbs will be revealed at the latest in a series of lecture lunches at Hanbury Hall.

Julia Scott - who grows more than 200 herbs in the Walled Garden in Fort Royal Hill, Worcester - will visit the National Trust-owned mansion near Droitwich to present a herbs for healing lecture tomorrow.

The talk will be followed by a themed lunch prepared by staff in the National Trust tearoom. Blue-cheese-and-onion tart with herb salad will be followed by lavender shortbread and ice-cream.

Hanbury's visitor services manager Rebecca White said: "This event is one of a series of lectures that are inspired by the National Trust's Plot To Plate initiative.

"Plot To Plate encourages visitors to learn about the history and distinctiveness of British food and to make informed choices about the food they eat."

The lecture series continues on September 27 when the title will be A Renaissance Of Apples.

Herbs for healing starts at 10am with tea and coffee, followed by the lecture between 10.30am and noon and then lunch. The cost is £13.50 per person. Places are limited so should be booked in advance.

Also this month, Hanbury Hall is hosting a dawn chorus walk, giving visitors the opportunity to find out more about the birds that live in the historic garden. Garth Lowe, of the RSPB, will lead the walk on Sunday, June 4. Walkers should park in the visitor car park and meet at the main house at 5.30am. For further information or to reserve your place on the lecture lunch or dawn chorus walk, call Hanbury Hall on 01527 821214.