Today a number of trees have come down in the beautiful gardens of St Mary's in Bramber.

The current owners Peter Thorogood and Roger Linton are giving all the Houses and Gardens of the St Mary's Estate to a charitable Trust - St Mary's Historic House Trust - with the express wish that it is maintained and kept open to the public in the future when they are no longer here.

Aged 94 and 82 respectively they have spent over 35 years saving the historic house and gardens.

Their efforts have been recognised by the Queen and the both received MBEs as a result.

Their amazing gift of the whole estate and its amazing collections within to a charitable trust is remarkable.

Their achievements have helped put Bramber on the map as a major tourist attraction with people visiting from far and wide.

Clive Blair-Stevens, StMHH Trustee