As the summer months begin to get properly underway, many of Britain's gardening enthusiasts are looking to spend time improving their gardens, with a total of £56 million due to be spent on projects over the next three months.

Insurance firm esure has suggested the figure as that likely to be spent on all things al fresco over the summer, from plants and shrubs to tools and water features.

The company has warned, however, that many do not appreciate the value of items left in the garden.

It calculates that 76 per cent of homeowners have around £550 of equipment in their garden sheds, but nearly one in ten do not lock it when not in use.

The firm is encouraging gardeners to improve their security to put off opportunistic thieves.

Nikki Sellers, head of home insurance at the company, commented: "With the lighter evenings and pleasant summertime temperatures, many of us will be spending more time and money on our gardens."

"However, it is all too easy to retire inside as it gets darker, leaving items unsecured in our gardens or sheds unlocked as easy targets for opportunistic thieves."

Other than locking items away at night, esure recommends investing in noisy surfaces such as crunchy gravel or installing security lighting.

The government's website, crimereduction.gov.uk, further suggests installing strong fencing and gates to deter burglars from entering your property.