MIDDLEWICH gardener Reg Hambley could have 'jumped for joy' when he found out he had been honoured at the North West in Bloom competition.

The 80-year-old, who lives in Elmwood Close, was 'over the moon' to hear that from a shortlist of more than 20 candidates he was the sole winner of the competition's best front garden category.

Reg, a lifelong gardener whose green-fingered skills were also recognised in this year's Middlewich in Bloom competition, is overwhelmed at his success and says it has given him the inspiration to carry on.

He said: "I knew I was getting an award but I didn't know what it was for. I thought there would be prizes for first second and third but it was just me who won. I was chuffed to bits when they announced it - I've got the best front garden in the whole of the north west.

"I'm 80 years old and I wasn't going to bother as much next year. Now I think I will."

He added: "Gardening is in the eye of the beholder and the judges must have liked what they saw."