BRITAIN'S best-loved gardener attracted a record turnout for Saturday's Grow For It event at The Royal School in Hindhead.

Now in its third year, the free event for families with children under 11 was hosted by writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh and supported by the Royal Horticultural Society of which he is vice-president.

More than 500 children took part in 10 hands-on activities including planting summer bedding, painting a rock bug, making a bird feeder, pond dipping, a scavenger hunt and a nature trail.

Mr Titchmarsh founded the event at the school to inspire the younger generation with a love of horticulture and hosts it there each year.

He recently launched the RHS Chelsea Centenary Appeal, with the aim of helping the charity highlight the breadth of opportunities that horticulture offers for young people.

"I feel so passionate about introducing children to their environment and giving them hands-on experience is vital," he said.

"After all, they will be the ones to look after the planet when we are gone but they have to be made aware from an early age so that it comes naturally to them.

"My thanks must go to more than 100 Royal School staff from all departments, who were there on a Bank Holiday weekend helping, teaching, encouraging, cajoling and smiling. It was a great event."