CARE farms from across the West Midlands have been invited to play a major part in next month’s Malvern Spring Gardening Show.

The popular event, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, is returning to the Three Counties Showground from Thursday to Sunday, May 12-15.

Show organisers the Three Counties Agricultural Society and the Royal Horticultural Society have invited Care Farming West Midlands (CFWM) members to enhance the entrance to the Show Gardens Arena and Garden In Harmony Theatre, by designing and planting a series of raised beds.

BBC Gardeners’ World presenters, Monty Don and Joe Swift, who are filming at the show, will then be asked to choose their favourite from all those on display.

CFWM is a project that uses commercial farms, woodlands, smallholdings and market gardens to provide mental and physical health through normal farming activity. Each farm is unique and supports excluded youngsters, ex-service personnel, and those with learning disabilities and addictions.

Spring Gardening Show compere Katie Johnson, who is CFWM’s development officer for Herefordshire, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the farms and the individuals they support, to take part in such a prestigious event, and means that show visitors will be able to see for themselves just what Care Farming can achieve.”

The Malvern Spring Gardening Show will also boast its usual wide range of attractions, including 30 show gardens, a 1.7 acre Malvern Floral Marquee, delicious food and drink, crafts and floral art.

New attractions for 2011 include a Landscaping Live demonstration, the Country Living Pavilion, and a Discovery Zone for younger gardeners.

For tickets and more information visit threecounties.co.uk/springgardening or call 01684 584924.