A DISABLED gardener has won the rear gardens section of the Darlington in Bloom competition at her first attempt.

Sarah Taylor, 45, of Welbeck Avenue, Darlington, who has multiple sclerosis, said she was shocked but delighted by her success.

Miss Taylor has been a wheelchair-user for 20 years and is unable to use her right hand.

"It is quite a nice feeling to get this recognition for something that I enjoy doing," she said.

Miss Taylor took up gardening after moving to her house four years ago. She was entered for the competition by a friend, Jo Williams.

She made a number of adaptations to the garden to enable her to manage it more easily, including having paving stones laid and using adapted tools with longer handles.

"Apart from some of the bigger jobs, like digging holes, I can do most things," she said.

"You find ways of achieving things, just like you do in everyday life."

The colourful garden features a mixture of plants including petunias, begonias and dahlias, set on different levels.

Winners of the competition's other categories will be announced this week.

Mrs Taylor thanked her friends and neighbours for their help and support in creating the colourful display.

She said: "Everyone has been brilliant. I would like to convey my appreciation to my neighbours, Ammy and Carol Watson, who have given me plants, and to my friends Joe and Dave Williams, who helped me move plants that I could not lift."