DAME Patricia Routledge will officially open Wirral Hospice St John's revamped garden later this year.

The Birkenhead-born actress and singer will perform the ceremony during a visit on Saturday June 29 at 11.30am.

The star - known to millions of fans as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, Kitty in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV and the lead in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates - will be given a tour of the garden, the hospice itself and place a time capsule as a record of her visit.

Since spring, an army of volunteers has been refurbishing the whole outside space of the hospice.

Its reopening has been organised as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Each year some 3,500 people, organisations, stately homes and castles open their gardens to the public.

The hospice garden will also be open for visitors over the weekend of June 29 and 30 from 11.30am to 4.30pm.

A spokesman for the hospice told the Globe: "Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and organisations, the hospice gardens are being given a makeover to give patients in our wellbeing centre and those on our inpatients ward, and their families, a pleasant environment to spend time together whenever the weather allows.

"Over the open weekend the garden itself will be a massive attraction featuring a bright display of bedding plants, perennials, colourful shrubs, roses and vegetables. Unusual features will include planted chairs, chests of drawers and yarn bombing.

"There will be a Pimms tent, and light refreshments with, of course, plenty of cakes.

"Guests will be able to purchase from a range of donated plants, planters and lots of other garden paraphernalia.

"There is plenty to keep the kids occupied with small animals and beekeeping demonstrations."

Helen Parkinson, clinical services manager in Wirral Hospice St John's Wellbeing Centre said: "We are so grateful to Dame Patricia for giving her time to help us launch our open garden.

"Since spring, an army of volunteers have been refurbishing the whole outside space of the hospice.

"They've been digging, weeding, planting and seeding, and we can’t thank them all enough.

"It's once again becoming a really attractive place for all of our patients, their families and friends and, in fact, everyone from our Wirral community is welcome to visit."