A SOMERSHAM man who admits being obsessed with gardening has won a competition worth about £4,000. Richard Gregory, 59, from Bishops Road, entered the National Garden Gift Vouchers competition at Frosts Garden Centre in Brampton. And after returning from

A SOMERSHAM man who admits being obsessed with gardening has won a competition worth about £4,000.

Richard Gregory, 59, from Bishops Road, entered the National Garden Gift Vouchers competition at Frosts Garden Centre in Brampton.

And after returning from holiday, Mr Gregory discovered he had won £1,000 of gardening vouchers and a garden party worth £3,000.

He said: "I just filled in a form but never expected to win.

"Gardening is my number one hobby so I was thrilled when I found out I had won the competition."

Mr Gregory was presented with his vouchers, along with a glass of Champagne, at Frosts on Wednesday when he couldn't resist making his first purchase.

"I'm going to buy a pink hydrangea macrophylla with £10 of my vouchers as it's so beautiful," he said.

"I'm obsessed with gardening and because I'm retired I am able to spend every minute of every day in my garden.

"If nothing needs doing in mine then I often start on my neighbour's garden."

Television gardening expert Chris Collins, who was head gardener at Westminster Abbey for three years, was at the presentation to offer Mr Gregory suggestions on how to create a perfect garden party setting.

Mr Collins will also visit Mr Gregory's garden in preparation for the 20-guest garden party, when the date is confirmed.

More than 5,000 people entered the competition which was advertised in 600 garden centres and organised by the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA).

Mr Gregory is also planning to enter his garden into The Hunts Post Garden of the Year competition to let others see his hard work.

INFORMATION: HTA represents more than 2,500 garden centres and other garden retail businesses, landscapers, growers and suppliers to the garden trade. To find out more visit www.the-hta.org.uk or to enter The Hunts Post Garden of the Year fill in your details on the opposite page.