A SELL-OUT Gardeners’ Question Time event has raised around £800 to be shared between a pair of charities.

There were no spare seats at Sidmouth Garden Centre as more than 80 keen people packed the restaurant for the event organised by Sid Valley Rotary Club. Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Shelterbox will benefit from the proceeds.

A top panel was on hand to entertain a bumper audience.

Television gardener Toby Buckland, Clive Groves from the prize-winning garden centre in Bridport, and Steve Martin from Bystock House in Exmouth provided helpful answers to questions.

These covered a wide range of topics, such as care of plants, dealing with problems - including badger damage - and problems caused by the recent cold weather. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the event and many favourable comments were made as they left.

It was the third year that the rotary club has organised the event with the assistance and support of the garden centre.

David Jackson, who led the organisation on behalf of the rotary club, thanked garden centre staff for their support.

He also expressed his gratitude to all those who bought tickets and said: “The Gardeners’ Question Time has grown thanks to the support of many people and this has enabled us to support two great charities helping people here in Devon and throughout the world. We hope that this event will continue to flourish in future years.”