Last weekend was a Question Time to party as a milestone was celebrated at a hidden gem in Petersfield.

There was plenty for visitors to dig as the town marked 35 years of the Petersfield Physic Garden.

Gardeners Question Time expert Pippa Greenwood and town mayor, Cllr Chris Paige, got the party started off the High Street in glorious sunshine last Saturday morning.

Around 300 people gathered for the opening event with the garden looking its very best thanks to the efforts of 20 volunteers who dished the dirt in the days beforehand.

Ms Greenwood praised the vision of Major John Bowen in her speech and his wish that the garden should provide for the conservation of plants, along with providing education and enjoyment for locals and visitors, alike.

She also thanked head gardener, John Wade Palmer, for his hard work in galvanising the team ahead of a weekend which included displays and a plant sale.

Live 17th century music filled the orchard as families sat around under the fruit trees to listen to songs by Purcell and Handel in idyllic weather.

Frannie Millar, Churcher's College Head of Music, provided keyboard accompaniment to GCSE music student Tahlia Horwood, soprano vocalist.

Children decorated more than 100 balloons with insect stickers while a butterfly trail and bug quiz had them searching around the garden for well-hidden clues.

Mr Wade Palmer said: "The atmosphere was one of tranquillity and joy with the garden providing children with a safe environment for exploring on their own. This was a great team effort".

Major Bowen bequeathed the site between the High Street and central car park to the people of Petersfield in 1988. The town’s “best kept secret” opened in its current form two years later after being recreated in the style of a medieval medicinal garden.