A popular beauty spot will come alive with colour.

Floodlit evening walks will return to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on Saturday, October 19.

Visitors will be able to follow candlelit pathways and enjoy the gardens by twilight.

Meanwhile, rainbow colours will be projected into the gardens from multi-coloured floodlights.

Halloween party fun will take place at the gardens from Thursday, October 31 to Saturday, November 2 with three spooky family fun nights, full of trick and treats.

Visitors will be treated to a giant laser show and will be able to meet Twitch the Witch and get up close and personal with bugs and snakes.

Dressing up is encouraged for all ages.

However, families should watch out for the White Lady who haunts the lilyponds and the friendly giant spider in the Victorian walled garden as well as plenty of other fun characters and effects.

The lights will be turned on for the first time on Friday, October 18 at a special charity evening run by Weldmar Hospicecare.

The gardens will open at 10am each day of the event and stay open until 8.30pm until Sunday, November 3.

The 40-minute walk around the garden has a shorter route, which is suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

It is advisable to wear sensible footwear and bring a torch.

Abbotsbury Tourism General Manager Martin Alderman said: “The Gardens in their autumn colours are always worth visiting at this time of year, but as darkness falls, following the candle lanterns as the trees, foliage, ponds and bridges are illuminated shows them off in a completely different light.

“Our Halloween Family Fun Nights are a treat for all ages too, with lots of spooky fun going on all over the Gardens and the odd surprise here and there!”

For further information and to buy tickets call the Abbotsbury Tourism office on 01305 871130 or visit www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk to make an online booking saving 20%. Or just turn up the night of your choice.