WINTER nights will light up at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens as spotlights will bathe the exotic trees and plants in a rainbow of colours.

During December the special ‘Illuminate’ event will lead visitors on a twilight route, where the exotic trees and plants will be dramatically lit by multi-coloured LED floodlights.

Dorchester-based lighting specialists OT Event Technicians are taking over the Gardens at twilight every evening from 5 December to 20 December to illuminate the Wonderland Sculpture Trail in the weeks before Christmas.

Ollie Titterington of OT Event Technicians said: “We are delighted to be working with Abbotsbury Tourism at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens this year in what has been a challenging year for our industry and cannot wait to show what we have been working on for ‘Illuminate’.”

Martin Alderman, general manager of Abbotsbury Tourism, said: “In a year when so many events have had to be cancelled we were delighted to invite OT Event Technicians to run ‘Illuminate’ in the Gardens.

“Not only will it bring some light to the winter darkness, but it means we can support a local business in these difficult times.

“The team at OT Event Technicians has have worked really hard to come up with this twilight treat – the Gardens really come to life when they are illuminated – and following the Wonderland Sculpture Trail will be an even more magical experience as Christmas approaches.

“There is plenty of room for safe social distancing, but it is essential to book a slot online in advance.”

Members from Dorset Food and Drink have been invited to attend the event with a view to having a range of pop up stalls inside the marquee on the West Lawn.

The Gardens’ café will be open every evening and the shop will also be fully stocked with many quality Christmas gifts.

The event will run daily from 4.30pm to 8pm from the 5 to the 20 December with last entries between 6.45pm and 7pm. Tickets are £7.50 per person (children under five go free).

Booking and more information at www.abbotsburytickets.co.uk