A tropical gardens will light up for autumn once more for the return of an event.

Those who visit Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens from dusk can expect to be taken on candle-lit pathways on a twilight route.

The route is part of the Enchanted Illuminations event, which will take place from Thursday, October 18 at the 30-acre gardens, where plants will be lit by multicoloured spotlights.

Lights in the garden will be light up for the first time this year as part of a special charity ticketed preview night organised by Weldmar.

This will take place on Wednesday, October 17, with Wendy Allen, solo saxophonist set to perform.

Families will also get the chance to celebrate Halloween with an extra Family Fright Night.

Youngsters and their parents are invited to don fancy dress and celebrate Halloween.

There will be witches and a mysterious White Lady who haunts the lily ponds, as well as a tunnel of terror.

Children can also enjoy some face painting and meet and hold creepy-crawlies like insects and snakes.

Abbotsbury tourism manager, Martin Alderman, said: "The Enchanted Illuminations offer the opportunity to see the gardens on an autumn evening in a completely different light.

"As night falls, the coloured theatre lighting creates amazing shapes and shadows and the path, lit by hundreds of candles, takes visitors on a 40 minute route through the trees and borders.

"Our Family Fright Nights are great fun for all ages.

"We positively encourage people to dress-up and we are delighted to be able to invite everyone to an additional fourth Fright Night this year."

The 40 minute walk around the garden has a shorter route, which is suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

The gardens are open from 10am each day of the public event and Enchanted Illuminations will run from dusk to 8.30pm until Tuesday, October 23 and then again on the evening on Sunday, October 28.

Family Fright Nights will take place from Wednesday, October 24 until Saturday, October 27.

For more information, you can visit abbotsburygardens.co.uk call the tourism office on 01305 871130 or just turn up on the night of your choice.