A YOUNG mother who turned her derelict back yard into a flourishing memorial to her best friend has won an award for her efforts.

Nicola Stamp, from Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland, was devastated when her best friend, Nicola Weeks, died in June last year.

The 21-year-old had been working Blackpool and accidentally took too many strong painkillers for backache, which led to her tragic death.

At the time, Nicola put all her energies into transforming her concrete yard into a peaceful oasis in memory of her friend. This year, all her loving work has paid off, because she has won the overall award in the Bishop Auckland in Bloom contest.

She said: "It has been a year since she died. It was all I thought about while we did our garden, and a lot of work went in with her thoughts behind it.

"We have dedicated the trophy to her, and the mounted plate is going back to the engravers to get Nicola's name on it."

After the judging of the contest on Sunday, a barbecue was held in the garden for Nicola Weeks' family and friends.

Her mother, Janette Weeks, from Weardale Drive, Bishop Auckland, said: "Nicola died of poisoning from strong painkillers.

"It was an accident, and it is difficult to come to terms with. She got the tablets off somebody because she had a bad back and could not wait until she went to the doctors, but they were too strong for her.

"It is nice that she is still being remembered.

"The barbecue on Sunday was a lovely gesture. All her friends were there, and photos of Nicola were put around the garden."