Final preparations for the opening of the new Visitor and Education Pavilion at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens were taking place when HCC leader, Ken Thornber, paid a visit this week.

The new £3.5m pavilion designed by county council architects opened to the public on Wednesday and features a spacious restaurant with an open-air terrace, gift shop, enhanced visitor services, and new landscape features.

The building also contains two purpose-uilt classrooms and laboratory that will serve over 8,000 Hampshire school children who visit the gardens each year.

Hundreds of new plants have been added to the extensive plant collection and fine weather has brought a full bloom of spring colour including magnolia, camellia and rhododendron. Last weekend, the gardens had over 2,000 visitors.

Mr Thornber said: "The pavilion will be a great new facility for all visitors and with the ever-increasing collection of plants to see, the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is the perfect Spring destination.

"I hope many people take advantage of the fine weather we've been having and make a day of it."

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is celebrating its 50th anniversary this June, when an official opening of the visitor centre will be performed.