GREEN-fingered Roy Forrest loves his garden - as did a panel of judges from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who voted his pride and joy as Council House Garden 2000.

"I'm shocked," said Mr Forrest, of Westfield Avenue, Redcar.

"I don't do my garden to win anything. I do it because I like my garden.

"It's an all-year round garden. In fact, I like it better at this time of year.'"

The Mayor, Coun Arthur Dobson, presented him with the Maurice Wilson Cup and £100 in prize money.