On December 12 and 13, Usk Garden Centre will be holding its annual Christmas charity weekend, which will feature lots of fun activities for the whole family, including Father Christmas in his work shop, face painting and miniature steam train rides.

Local bands, bell ringers and choirs will be adding to the festive atmosphere, with mulled wine, mince pies and hot pork rolls on offer alongside the usual restaurant menu.

On Saturday, December 12, there will also be a special visit from ‘Creature Encounters’ where you will be able to get up close and learn about lots of exotic animals. The garden centre’s farm zoo with its micro pigs, pygmy goats, chickens and ducks will also be open as will the children’s play areas.

Garden centre owners, Kate Morris and Anna Jones said "We are delighted to be running this fantastic fund raising event in support of charities once again this year. It really gets everyone into the spirit of Christmas. All our staff will be dressing up as elves to help Father Christmas when he arrives. Last year due to the generosity of visitors to the Garden Centre we were able to donate £2,000 to local charities and we hope to exceed that amount this year ‘

This year all money collected over the charity weekend will be going to TOGS, The Salvation Army and The Jane Hathaway Leukeamia Fund.