Beautiful blooms are proving an asset to Margate’s Pilgrims Hospice this summer.

Fresh cut flowers, plants, fruit and veg will be on sale at the summer fair on Saturday from 11am until 3pm at the Ramsgate Road hospice.

The fair is being staged two weeks earlier than normal to match the peak growing season for gardeners and producers who contribute to the event.

There will be performances by Thanet Concert Band, a display of dancing by schoolchildren, a balloonist, refreshments and stalls selling cakes, books, bric-a-brac and more.

There will also be a raffle and tombola. Last year’s fair raised £4,500 which gained £3,900 matched funding from Barclays Bank.

Meanwhile Sainsbury’s at Broadstairs is donating cut flowers to the hospice instead of discounting them.

The store has introduced the policy as a way of helping the community and being greener.

Store manager David Holman said: “This is a great scheme. It brings some sunshine to people’s lives and also reduces wastage.

“I am really glad we are able to support Pilgrims Hospice and hope we can continue to work with them in the future.”

The hospices’ Yvonne Archer said: “We are delighted Sainsbury’s are kindly donating flowers. They really make a difference to our hospice and we are very grateful.”

Fund-raisers expect the recent ladies only midnight walk in Deal to have raised around £58,000. Supporters from Thanet were among 600 participants at the 10km walk.