People visit the gardens to see the Millennium Seed Bank

Nearly 36,000 people visited Kew's country garden at Wakehurst Place near Ardingly in July - 11% more than the same month in 2003.

And the figure for this year is the highest ever recorded for the venue in the month of July.

A Wakehurst Place spokesman said it followed record-breaking attendance figures in May and June.

'Fungal kingdoms'

The spokesman, Trevor Butler, said: "It is due recognition to the hard work put in by our horticultural and conservation teams."

A greater number of visitors to the gardens are children - 15% this July compared to 12% the year before.

"Kew's policy of allowing all young people (under 17) in free as part of our remit to educate on the plant and fungal kingdoms is proving popular," Mr Butler said.

The last week in July was the busiest of the month with thousands visiting to see the seasonal plants and Millennium Seed Bank.