DAME Patricia Routledge will officially open Wirral Hospice St John's revamped garden tomorrow.

The Birkenhead-born actress and singer will perform the ceremony at 11.30am as part of a weekend of celebrations, featuring live music.

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.

The hospice gardens will be open for visitors to roam from 11.30am-4.30pm next Saturday and Sunday.

Helen Parkinson, clinical services manager for outpatients and the wellbeing centre at the hospice told the Globe: "Patients will often sit outside, when the weather allows, taking in the fresh air. We want them to have an attractive view to garner a sense of peace and wellbeing.

"It's been a massive team effort. We’ve attracted people from all walks of life who just wanted to help. Our staff, our dedicated volunteers, other loyal supporters and, of course, our precious patients.

"We love it when our patients are able to take part in activities which are part of hospice life.

"In terms of this 'Open Garden' project we’ve involved a number of them to play a significant role for their own, and their fellow patients’, ultimate enjoyment."

'Open Gardens' are often arranged by individuals, some 3,500 of them across England and Wales, who invite people into their various sized and lovingly tended gardens for a small entry fee.

"The initial payment goes towards funds for the likes of Marie Curie, Macmillan and Hospice UK.

Wirral Hospice St John's benefits from such supporters, including the

The Poulton Lancelyn family who have supported the hospice for many years, opening their captivating gardens and attracting people from far and wide.

And, green-fingered, valuable fundraising volunteer, Sandie Fairclough, with husband Colin, have opened up their beautiful half acre plot in Heswall for the last ten years.

Helen continued: "We've taken inspiration from Sandie and, over four Sundays in March, April, May and June, we've built on the ongoing work of our regular gardening volunteers, to accomplish a heavy, but rewarding, workload of digging, weeding, planting, and seeding.

"It's people-power at its finest.

"When we announced that we needed volunteer support to makeover our hospice garden, the people of Wirral, as they always do, responded magnificently.

"There have been more than 50 at our most recent project days and many more have been sending in their plants, planters, flowers and shrubs to be used for the garden.

"People young, and not-so-young, have been involved. Mums, dads, nans and grandads, children and grandchildren have all been pulling together. We're so grateful to them all."

Wirral businesses and community organisations have lent a helping hand contributing tools, muscle, brains, labour, painting and planting to the refurb.

Unilever, Vitaflo, Merseyside Police, Aspire Care Support Services, Leverhulme Freemasons, Charles Stephens, Wirral Belles, Barclays Bank, Ex-Heswall Round Tablers (now 41 Club), the Beavers from 5th Birkenhead troop are among those involved.

They'll be able to purchase hospice light refreshments with delicious cakes and scones, and, for that extra aid to digestion, there’s a Pimms tent to evoke a unique summer feeling.

The hospice’s own special Summer Memories daisies will also be on show and available to buy for a donation of £5 each.

Members of Wirral Beekeepers will outline how we might all play a part in preserving our vastly important bee population.

Representatives from Pets as Therapy will also be on-site, Hedgerow Hen Emporium and New Ferry Butterfly Park and Wirral Hedgehog Hospital be in the hospice on Saturday and Sunday.

Art by local artist Mo Hawthorne (a Macmillan Nurse and friend of the hospice) will be on display alongside what promises to be inspiring and colourful mosaics from Aleta Doran.

Musical entertainment on Saturday will feature West Kirby based community choir Cantemus at Calday and Sing Me Merseyside, led by Billy Hui.

On Sunday the Bebington Bittermen promise a soulful range of popular shanties and tender love songs, followed by Wirral combo group The Timeline Band.

People heading to the event can park for free at Clatterbridge Hospital at car parks which will be signposted. Buses 16, 16a, 17, 410 and 487 all stop at, or in the grounds of, the hospital.

Check bus times at www.merseytravel.gov.uk