RAIN didn't deter visitors to this year's Whitegate Daffodil Farm Open Days & Walks which raised more than £10,000 for Macmillan.

Several thousand people visited the farm - home to 600 varieties of daffodil spread over eight acres - for its 12th annual fundraiser.

The 12-day event is organised by Len Tomlinson and his daughter Gail Jackson whose family have owned the farm at Foxwist Green for 300 years.

Gail told the Guardian: "Considering we were faced with dreadful weather over most of the 12 days we were open this was an amazing amount of money to raise.

"We attracted 3,500 visitors, which 350 taking the guided tour, and many little ones who also came to visit the fairies.

"I’d like to thank the 60 fabulous volunteers who gave their time and energy, the fabulous cake bakers, ensuring we had a daily supply of home made cakes, our sponsors, whom without it wouldn’t be the success it was and most of all our visitors who continue to support us in all conditions!"

Len has been planting daffodils on the farm for 70 years, since he was five years old, and last autumn planted a further 2,000 bulbs to expand the woodland display and continue the survival of the rare varieties.

The flowers were traditionally cut by hand and sold in local shops and markets but stopped 15 years ago as it was no longer commercially viable.

However, Len and Gail continued welcoming friends and daffodil enthusiasts from all over the world to visit the farm and when Len lost his best friend following a long battle with cancer, he was determined to thank Macmillan for the support they had given.

Gail said: "In 2007 the first daffodil tour raised £330 and the rest, as they say, is history. Before this year, we'd raised a total of £57,262 for Macmillan Cancer Support."

Len's guided tour of the farm included examples of salt subsidence caused by the nearby Winsford Salt mines and daffodils dating back to the 1500s. There was also a fairy trail for younger visitors.