SOUTH-FACING gardens add nearly £5,000 to the average house in this region (South West), new data from Barclays reveals.

Buyers in the South West are prepared to pay an extra 3.02 per cent - £4,922 - above the average price for their little slice of Alan Titchmarsh heaven.

And in the South East that figure rises to 3.21 per cent or £5,232.

Data obtained from 13 million Barclays current account and Barclaycard customers reveals that Britons will spend £25.2 million on their gardens this Bank Holiday weekend.

Biggest spenders will be the South East's gardeners, accounting for 17.2 per cent of this weekend's shrubbery spree at £4.3 million - with the South West second-placed with around 15.4 per cent (£3.9 million).

"It is hardly surprising as most of us regard the garden as an extension of our home," said Barclays/The Woolwich head of mortgages Richard Saulet.

"However buying a house is the biggest purchase that people are likely to make so it's crucial that they are completely happy with the significant features such as a south-facing garden, especially if they are paying around £6,000 more on average to have one."

How your garden can help sell your house:

Mow the grass regularly - "seems obvious but a neat garden, even if it's not south-facing, will help to entice a buyer."

Well-placed flowers will attract the buyer's eye.

If you're selling a family home make sure it's child-friendly by putting netting over ponds.

Get rid of the gnomes!