Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens to be rebuilt after floods

The owner of a historical walled garden badly damaged by flooding during the Christmas break hopes to rebuild and reopen to the public within weeks.

Anthony Tavernor has been restoring Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, near Menai Bridge, on Anglesey for 20 years.

But a "tidal wave" of flood water demolished a 200-year-old wall and washed away many rare plants on 26 December.

Diggers and workers are now on site helping to repair the damage.

Former farmer Mr Tavernor has been restoring the 10-acres (4 hectares) of garden and buildings at Plas Cadnant since buying the then overgrown 200-acre estate in 1996.

It now attracts visitors - both local and from abroad - and its fans include the Prince of Wales, who Mr Tavernor said had hoped to visit the estate.

Workers have to work by hand in some parts

After the deluge of water swept through the gardens, Mr Tavernor said "thousands" of people got in touch to support him.

He and his small team are now working to clear rocks which washed down the valley from the gardens into the river, along with clearing blocked culverts, rebuilding walls and re-planting.

"The message is that the garden may not be finished but we're planning on opening again," said Mr Tavernor.

"We normally open for a few days in February for the snowdrops. If we're not open for that, we'll definitely be open for the new season around Easter."