EVERY gardener knows the true value of horse manure. It's priceless.

And when a Grand National winner makes the donation, then it's a sure bet that everything in the garden will be extra rosy.

At least that's the hope of Tom Swindells, the gardener responsible for The Northern Echo Gardening Club's allotment.

Mr Swindells went to the North-East stables of the National winning Red Marauder to see if the horse could add his own brand of luck to our produce.

He said: "I am hoping for some champion organic tomatoes. Most people give their tomato plants a feed, but because we are organic we will use this."

A stables spokesman said: "Red Marauder has got very good bloodlines and has the strength to win a Grand National, so it might help grow nice big rosy ones."

The precious gift was handed to Mr Swindells, 26, by Red Marauder's stable girl, Claire Metcalfe.

Claire carefully collected the donation after The Northern Echo contacted the stables asking for some help.

Mr Swindells, who is the New Deal supervisor for Nature's World, in Middlesbrough, will start digging the manure into the vegetable patch with the help of trainees at the centre.

And visitors will soon be able to see whether the Red Marauder's luck has rubbed off on the produce.

Readers can find out more about The Northern Echo allotment and gardening club on www.thisisthenortheast.-co.uk/gardening.

l There is still chance to submit a question to owner and trainer Norman Mason or jockey Richard Guest at our website www.thisisthe-northeast.co.uk/features/interview_e.