The secrets and crafts of a bygone age are being recreated by Jonathan Tate at South Downs Nurseries beside the A273 at Stone Pound in Hassocks.

Work is well underway to prepare the long-established nurseries' new Heritage Centre for its official opening in April.

Owner Jonathan said he wanted to combine horticulture and history for the enjoyment of customers.

He said: "We already have a high reputation for raising and selling rare, unusual and exotic plants and there are fascinating stories to tell about vintage Sussex plants, long since gone or forgotten."

The Heritage Centre will concentrate on traditional crafts and trades such as the blacksmith, wheelwright, trug maker and carpenter. Complementing it will be a new Heritage Garden to display Sussex plants such as old local varieties of fruit and bygone varieties such as the traditional herbs once used for medicinal purposes.

The plants will be set around a patio area reached from the company's new Olive Tree Café.

Jonathan, who is in charge of the family-run nurseries, said there would be no charge for admission to the Heritage Centre. Instead the new attraction will ask for donations to be given to charities in the area.