A ROYAL Horticultural Society garden has officially opened its new visitor centre and cafe to the public.

After a year of hard work and planning Ian Le Gros, head of site, declared the the new facilities at Hyde Hall, near Rettendon, officially open and welcomed excited visitors in.

The visitors centre includes a new cafe and shop. The gardens came under the spotlight last year when gardener Matthew Oliver managed to grow and set the record for the largest outdoor grown pumpkin in the UK - which weighed in at a staggering 95 stone.

The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9.30am and is open to non-garden customers as well. For full details go to www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall