A TOP tourist attraction is welcoming visitors for the first time in 2012 next weekend.

The Gardens of Easton Lodge is hosting the first of only two Snowdrop Sundays on February 19 – the last chance to see this ever-popular event is a week later on February 26.

Visitors can enjoy the many thousands of blooms that form a white carpet beneath the trees in the Bosquet and down into the glade. There will be nature activities for younger visitors and there is lots of space for them to run around and let off steam in the 23 acre site.

Trustee Gwen Blackshaw said: “It is always exciting at the start of a new season and we are all looking forward to welcoming visitors into the gardens to see the both the stunning snowdrop displays and the progress we have made in the Italian Garden.”

Opening hours for both Snowdrop Sundays are 12 noon-4pm with the last admission at 3pm. Tickets cost �2.50 for adults and children enter free. A volunteer team will be manning the gates and serving homemade soups, bacon rolls, hot drinks and cakes by the croquet lawn to sustain visitors who venture out to see the first signs of spring.

Anyone interested in joining the volunteer team for this and subsequent open days or to help on regular Thursday gardening sessions can email enquiries@eastonlodge.co.uk or call 01371 876979.

For more information, visit eastonlodge.co.uk.