Sculptural surprise for visitors to award-winning Himalayan Garden

The garden, near Ripon, which officially opened for the year on Saturday, is home to a dazzling array of plants and flowers and has the UK's largest collection of species rhododendrons with plants from the Himalayas and countries including Vietnam, Chile and Japan.

This year visitors will be treated to sculptures by some 50 well-known and aspiring sculptors from all over the world.

Student sculptors from the School of Design at the University of Leeds have also put their work on display and all the exhibits are available to buy.

Peter Roberts, who owns and created the Himalayan Garden, said: "The Himalayan Garden provides a beautiful environment where contemporary art can be shown to powerful effect.

"We have ensured the prices of the exhibits cover a broad spectrum with a wide variety of materials including bronze, stone, ceramics and glass to suit all budgets."

Last year the Himalayan Garden won the environmental project category in the 2009 Yorkshire Rural Awards.

The garden is open daily (excluding Mondays) until June 13. For more information phone 01765 658009 or visit www.himalayangarden.com