THE proposal to merge two of the country's most influential gardening organisations has moved a major step forward.

Letters have now gone to all the members of the Harrogate-based Northern Horticultural Society, which runs the town's famous Harlow Carr gardens.

It invites them all to a meeting in the town on April 18 to discuss the tie-up up with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

The RHS is planning to create gardens of outstanding beauty and excellence in all the English regions and it is hoped Harlow Carr will be that garden in the north.

Some members are known to be unhappy about the move, as the name of the 50-year-old organisation would fade into history and overall control would pass to the RHS.

However, the majority of the society's council feels that is a worthwhile price to pay to secure the future of Harlow Carr.

The merger would involve the RHS spending and extra £750,000 on the garden over the next five years and increasing the number of gardeners ten to 16 within two years.

"If members give the go-ahead, the greatly improved gardens will attract many more visitors and new members," said a spokesman yesterday.