BRITAIN’S national collection of old-fashioned roses at Mottisfont Abbey are now at their best.

The National Trust’s head gardener at Mottisfont David Stone said: “The roses have been less affected by our inclement weather conditions because of the wall that surrounds the garden and as a result, our spectacular annual display is bang on time.

“For many people, the Mottisfont rose season is an important date in their calendar, so we are really pleased to be able to give everyone this news.”

Mottisfont’s world-famous rose garden, which pulls in visitors from across the globe, was created by Stuart Graham Thomas in 1972 and it contains ancestral roses such as the red rose of Lancaster, the white rose of York and Chinese roses brought to Europe in the 1800s.

A special evening called Celebrating the Roses will be held tomorrow between 6pm and 8pm.

Call 01794 344020 for tickets which are priced at £14 each.