Michael King, 73, of Ladycroft, has been voted the overall winner for the south region of the LHA housing association annual gardening competition for his beautiful garden.

Mr King, who has been gardening since he was five-years-old, said: “The garden here used to just be a plain grass slope, but I’ve transformed it into a terraced garden so it has three different flat levels. I really enjoy sitting out and spending time in it now.”

The garden has a gravel area with seating and a pagoda, an ornamental pond and rockery and a lawn with a summer house. There are also window boxes and hanging baskets around the house with fuchsias and geraniums.

Mr King, who designed and landscaped the garden himself, said: “I find gardening really relaxing and it’s nice to stand back when you’ve finished and look at what you’ve done.”

Mr King, who in previous years has won the categories for best hanging baskets and the best front garden, was presented with a trophy and £150.

He will now go on to compete against two other tenants from the central and north regions for the title of LHA gardener of the year.

John Stemp, managing director of LHA, said: “Mr King is a well deserving winner.

“He has totally transformed the space here into a beautiful spot to relax in.”