ONE of the highlights of the early summer is the gorgeous spectacle of Cerne Abbas Open Gardens.

This year, up to 25 households will be inviting the public in to tour their beds and borders, ponds, patios and pathways tomorrow and Sunday.

Cerne Abbas first welcomed visitors to some of its gardens in 1974 and with the exception of the years 1977 and 1978 the event has been repeated every year.

In the early years all the money raised was used to support organisations within the village, but from 1987 onwards the policy has been to divide the proceeds equally between the village and an outside cause.

So far, recipients have included Julia’s House, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the MRI Scanner appeal, Leonard Cheshire Homes, West Dorset Macmillan Service and the St Andrew’s Church Minterne Roof Repairs fund.

Beneficiaries for 2010 are St Mary;s Cerne Abbas organ fund and Dorchester Poverty Action Group.

Cerne Abbas Open Gardens takes place on tomorrow and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.

Day tickets, available in the car park and the square, are £5 for entry to all gardens, accompanied children free. Car parking is free. There will be a plant sale in the square and cream teas will be available in the vicarage garden.

With the summer limbering up, al fresco community events are starting to take place across the county.

Affpuddle Church Fete and Dog Show takes place in Briantspuddle tomorrow between 2pm and 4.30pm. Attractions will include a wide range of stalls and entertainment plus music from the Wareham Town band.

Piddletrenthide Church and School Fete is at noon tomorrow and there will be music from Stompin’ Dave, a tug o war, haunch of venison barbecue, vintage cars and stalls.

Chettle Village Fete near Blandford is also taking place tomorrow from 1pm until the evening.