Video and pictures: Amazing Shropshire garden opens for charity

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But that's exactly what Marilyn and Bill Hammerton did, and the public will have a chance to see the results when they open up their beloved Japanese-style garden to the public as past of the National Gardens Scheme this weekend.

The couple originally built a tea house in their garden, in Westgate Villas on Salop Street, Bridgnorth because of 70-year-old Bill's love of a brew, and the oriental garden fell into place around it.

"My husband really loves tea and we decided to build a tea house in the garden, which then led to us building a Japanese garden around it," said Marilyn.

"We went to Japan in 2001 and were really inspired by the gardens they have. So much so that we have become members of the Japanese Garden Society.

"I do most of the gardening, but my husband does help me out when he isn't training for his triathlons."

Marilyn, 68, said the attraction of the oriental style of garden is that it provides an escape.

"We both used to work as doctors and having the Japanese Garden meant we had somewhere to relax and wind down in," she said.

"That is less necessary now we are both retired, but it remains a beautiful place to spend time in and we are looking forward to introducing people to our garden on Friday. This will be the eighth time we have opened our garden for charity and we usually raise around £1,000 from it."

Marilyn and Bill's garden is at 8 Westgate Villas and will be open on Friday evening between 7pm and 9.30pm, and on Sunday between 2pm and 5.30pm.

Entry costs £5 for adults on Friday and £4 on Sunday, with children allowed in free on both days. The cost of entry includes wine and canapés on Friday and a homemade tea on Sunday.

The National Gardens Scheme raises money for its beneficiary charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK and the Carers Trust.