CELEBRITY gardener, television presenter and author Alan Titchmarsh visited The Lawn care home in Holybourne to open its Christmas fair.

Hosted by the charity Friends of the Elderly, which operates the facility, the fair provided an opportunity for residents, their families and friends to welcome members of the community to enjoy seasonal refreshments, while listening to festive tunes and browsing the stalls for cards, gifts, crafts and bric-a-brac.

Delighted that Mr Titchmarsh was able to take time out to open the fair, The Lawn’s manager, Marie Moody, said: “This celebration will be the start of the festive season for us. We have a lot of activities and events for our residents to enjoy this year.”

Resident Joan Elderton said the event had been “very well attended” and “enjoyed by all” and her fellow resident, Joyce Curtis, said it has been “all good, and lovely to see Alan Titchmarsh”.