FOREST-based youth charity the Asha Centre showed off its beautiful grounds and gardens which include more than 2,000 roses.

The centre at Flaxley has earned an international reputation for its work with young people from around the world in promoting education for sustainability, peace and entrepreneurship.

It opened its doors for a midsummer's day of picnics, games and tours.

Centre stage were the English rose garden with more than 2,000 blooms, its organic farm and its 'peace' gardens.

Activities included a duck-race, Asha Olympics, the sensory path, bee-keeping and scarecrow.

There was also music from local musicians, tours of the grounds, a charity flea market and clothes give away.

The event closed with a presentation by Asha's founder Zerbanoo Gifford to head gardener Stephen 'Ollie' Hall of Newham for overseeing the development, planting and maintenance of the estate.

Mrs Gifford said: "He was responsible for the thousands of comments from people around the world, including spiritual leaders, as well as local artists and social groups that use Asha who say they have experienced a 'Kew Gardens' in Gloucestershire."