English Heritage horticultural trainees will create a 'Beautiful Border' for this year's BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair at Audley End House and Gardens.

The Autumn Fair will take place at the Saffron Walden country house from August 30 to September 1, with tickets available at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.

The Beautiful Borders are compact, miniature show gardens, which provide design ideas and creative inspiration for small or difficult garden spaces.

This year's theme is 'Share My Space', highlighting the power of gardening to create a sense of community.

The border, called 'Shared Ecologies' was created by Pete Buchanan and Libby Bettney, who are part of the English Heritage Historic and Botanic Garden training programme.

Reflecting the Share My Space theme, their border is designed to bring plant, animal and human communities together in a small, tended space.

The design duo said: "As we enter into the world of professional horticulture, we have used our shared experience and training here at Audley End House and Gardens to create a Shared Ecologies Border.

"Our aim was to provide a shared habitat for a diverse collection of species whilst using plants with a shared edible and ornamental purpose.

"We have encouraged community cohesion and wellbeing through sharing plants and materials with local groups whilst maintaining our sustainable working practices to promote a shared, liveable and biodiverse future."

Along with the Beautiful Borders, the BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair will feature a range of showcase gardens, plant displays and the Association of Professional Landscapers' Skills Competition gardens.

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine stage will be hosted by the magazine's editors, and will feature seasonal gardening chat with presenters Adam Frost on the Friday, Joe Swift on the Saturday, and - new to the fair - Rachel de Thame on the Sunday.

At the new Get Growing Stage, TV chef Marcus Bean will be hosting a daily programme of sessions with expert produce growers.

There will also be Plant Expert garden tours, historical performances and workshops where participants can take part in autumn bouquet-making, mushroom growing, seed sowing and making bug hotels. 

Attendees can shop at the plant and garden stalls - with many exhibitors which are new to the fair - and buy food and drink to take home at the Good Food Market.

Tickets include access to Audley End House, gardens and grounds.

Lucy Tremlett, head of horticultural division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: "Autumn Fair visitors always flock to the Beautiful Borders for new ideas to take home.

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"The designers invest a lot of love, time and hard work in these tiny gardens and we can’t wait for visitors to see them in situ.

"Whether you’re an old hand at gardening or a complete beginner, the Autumn Fair is the perfect place for garden inspiration, expert tips and advice, and the odd plant or two!

"It’s a great day out for non gardeners too with its stunning historic setting, delicious food, drink, live entertainment and shopping, and full access to Audley End House and Gardens."