The Bishop of Norwich has been recognised for opening his garden to members of the public in aid of charities for 10 years.

The Rt Rev Graham James and his wife, Julie, were presented with a certificate from the National Garden Scheme (NGS) to mark the milestone, yesterday.

The presentation was held as part of this year's garden opening for the NGS which saw dozens of people brave the rain to take a stroll around the Bishop's four-acre grounds.

Visitors had the chance to examine the grass labyrinth with a 400-year-old pear tree at its centre, the kitchen garden, boxed rose garden with fountain, as well as the central lawn and bamboo glade.

Money raised by the NGS goes to a number of care, nursing and gardening charities including Macmillan Cancer Support and Help the Hospices. Bishop Graham said the award had come as a 'surprise'.

'There are 10 Sundays during the summer when the garden is open for different charities and, if it's not raining, people come in their hundreds,' he said.

'It's nice to share this extraordinary space which has been the Bishop's garden for 900 years.

'A huge amount of work goes into it by our gardeners and volunteers and it's great that charities benefit from the money that's raised.'

Jan Saunt, assistant county organiser for NGS, said: 'It's very pleasant to recognise the Bishop for opening his garden for NGS for 10 years.'

As well as the NGS, the Bishop's garden is opened for a number of local charities, including Nelson's Journey, the Friends of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Musical Keys and Norfolk Age UK.