A COUNTY Durham pensioner who claimed he had found a rare orchid growing in his garden has seen his hopes dashed by a top botanist.

Thomas Cooke, 68, of Chilton, contacted The Northern Echo to tell of his find after reading a report of the rare bird's-nest orchid being found in the Yorkshire Dales.

The flower he found however turned out to be a common spotted orchid, according to Durham University professor Dr Phil Gates.

Dr Gates, of the department of biological sciences at the university, said: "If it had been a bird's-nest orchid it would have been a remarkable find.

"It is quite common to find common spotted orchids in County Durham, but it is unusual for it to turn up in gardens."

Although the flowers of both orchids are similar the plants themselves are a different colour.

The bird's-nest orchid does not grow on sunlight and survives through a process known as photosynthesis.

It has become increasingly rare nationally and the recent discovery of a lone plant was only the second in Swaledale and the first to be photographed.

Despite Mr Cooke's orchid turning out to be a common version he remains chuffed with his version. He said: "It is a little cracker".