THE highly regarded Gibberd Garden, Harlow was unable to open to the public on its first day of the new season on Saturday, 31st March because of flooding.

Although visitors braved the mud for the Easter Trail, volunteers considered conditions too dangerous on Easter Monday and again on Wednesday, 4th April.

This is a severe blow to the local attraction that relies on public support to keep Sir Frederick Gibberd’s Grade II listed garden open.

A spokesperson said, “Our visitors’ safety is our main consideration.

The Garden will soon recover once the rain stops falling”.