FORMER Gardeners’ World presenter, Roy Lancaster, will return to horticultural duties on Sunday when he officially opens the first Plant Fair Roadshow to be held at Chawton House Library.

To take place from 11am to 4pm, the event will offer visitors the opportunity to see and buy plants direct from the growers, and also gain first-hand advice.

A total of 14 plant nurseries will be attending and experts include Rosemary Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Plants – the leading female gold medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show having won a total of 21 gold medals so far.

Other experts on hand to give advice will include Quentin Stark, head gardener at Hole Park, and Chawton House Library’s own garden manager, Andrew Bentley.

Now in its fifth year, the Plant Fair Roadshow runs a number of events across the South East.

The Hardy Plant Society, of which Mr Lancaster is president, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary during the day, which looks set to be a must-visit event for any keen gardeners in the area.

The library, which recently launched its Reimagining Jane Austen’s Great Housecampaign, has been ramping up its fundraising and publicity activities with the ultimate aim of expanding and improving its visitor facilities.

Andrew Bentley said: “I’m delighted to be hosting our first ever Plant Fair Roadshow with such an array of nurseries and top gardening experts in attendance.”

Tickets to the Roadshow are included in the usual garden admission price, which is £4 for adults and £2 for children (under 5s are free).

The house and library will also be open to visitors and light lunches and cakes will be available in the Old Kitchen tearoom.