GREEN-FINGERED pensioner Peter O'Shaughnessy could not bear to leave his garden when he moved into a Chester-le-Street residential home - so he took it with him.

Now his blooms have earned the 86-year-old, the Gardener of the Year award, in a competition organised by Durham County Council.

Peter moved to Sunningdale House from his home in Fence Houses, Houghton-le-Spring, a year ago. The ex-miner brought most of the contents of his garden with him, which he replanted in the grounds of the home in Ouston. He took over the greenhouse, moved plants to new locations, created new flowerbeds and planted out masses of hanging baskets and pots.

In a time of life when most people are taking it easy, Peter rises at 6.30am every day to water his plants. He beat off stiff competition from 14 other residential homes in the county to win the top gardener award, the first time Sunningdale House has ever won such an award.

Peter, who won the News of the World gardening competition in 1948, has no intention of resting on his laurels.

He said: "I am very happy to have won this award for the home because they are very good to me. I have made big improvements to the garden this year, but still have even more planned for next year."

Handyman Bill Barrett, who used to take care of the garden, said: "Peter is a great character with a wealth of gardening knowledge. He has totally transformed the garden and it looks fabulous this year. Now all I do in the garden is prepare the land for him. I'm just his apprentice!