BERNARD Kelly and his partner, Hilda Bentley, have won the best allotment prize at the Glebe Road allotments, in Darlington.
Mr Kelly has been working the allotment for four years.
"I hadn't done gardening since I was 18," he said.
"I retired when I was 65, and the first year was great, and then I got bored. So we went down the town hall and got an allotment, and we've been working it since."
Mr Kelly and Mrs Bentley grow a range of fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, beetroot and potatoes.
"We just do what we like on the allotment - we don't do it to win the trophy," Mr Kelly said.
The allotment beat competition from more than 40 others to win the prize. It was judged by guests from the Smithfield Allotments.
Bill Parry, chairman of Glebe Road allotments, said: "He does have a lovely site. He's an ex-carpenter, I think, so he's very meticulous.
"He hasn't had it long, but he's taken to it like a duck to water. He's one of the guys who does everything right."
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