A TEAM of gardeners are facing a gargantuan task – planting thousands of bulbs across 900 square metres of garden.

The team at Mount Grace Priory, near Osmotherley, are planting a total of 27,000 bulbs – of ten different varieties - as part of a new garden and landscaping scheme.

The work follows a significant investment in the gardens thanks to English Heritage and a grant awarded by the Wolfson Foundation.

Plans include new garden designs capitalising on the terracing to the front of the house, and the addition of a variety of new beds, paths and improvements to access.

The investment also includes the appointment of award-winning garden designer, Chris Beardshaw, who as creative lead for the project, will initiate new designs to enhance visitors’ experience of the gardens and act as consultant until completion next spring.