DUCHESS'S GARDEN OF CANNABIS, COCAINE AND OPIUM

Already famous for her ornamental plantings, superlative roses and
spectacular spending, the Duchess of Northumberland has won permission
to grow drugs in her garden at Alnwick Castle.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the North East is set
to become an even bigger magnet for curious visitors next spring when
they will be able to admire -- but not pick -- specimens of cannabis,
opium poppies, magic mushrooms, tobacco and the coca plant, the source
of cocaine.

The Home Office has approved a licence for the Duchess and the trust
which runs the 40 acres of gardens at the border castle, on the
grounds that the plants will be exhibited strictly for educational
purposes. They will take their place alongside 50 other dangerous
plants in what will be Britain's largest public poison garden.

Peter Wirtz, a Belgian responsible for designing Alnwick's classical
water cascade, has also created the Poison Garden.

Some other specimens he has planted include the poisonous foxglove and
wild lettuce, which can be used as a tranquiliser. Although almost
complete and ready to open within weeks, the garden will not achieve
full glorious bloom until winter is over. Any temptation to harvest
the hallucinogens will be curbed by marshals who will escort all
visitors through the patch of poisons.

The Duchess, who created the modern garden and is now a member of the
trust that runs it, said yesterday: "The garden is more than the
development of a beautiful place or a regenerative tourism venue.

"Drugs are a major concern across the country and an emotive issue.
The Poison Garden will offer a new avenue, outside the classroom, to
get people talking about the misuse of drugs, most of which grow in
nature. I am interested in the power of plants and how they have been
used not only to cure but to poison and kill."