DAVENTRY MAN SCOOPS TOP GARDENING PRIZES 

Green-fingered Peter Clayton, 73, of Wordsworth Road, Daventry, has won two top prizes in an annual housing association garden competition.

Mr Clayton’s beautiful garden has been voted the overall winner for the south region, which covers Northampton and the surrounding area and the best communal garden.

He will now be presented with a certificate and £150 from LHA-ASRA - £100 for the overall winner of the south region and £50 for the best communal garden.

Mr Clayton, who will now compete against two other tenants from the north and central regions for the title of best LHA garden, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s better than winning the lottery!”

Gardening has been a hobby of Mr Clayton’s since he was small, and he learnt his skills from his mother, who gave him his love of gardens.

He added: “We’ve always had a nice garden wherever we’ve lived. When we came here five years ago, it was like a building site with rubble everywhere but I’ve managed to turn it round.”

Karen Lock, Housing Services Team Leader (South) at LHA-ASRA, said: “Mr Clayton’s garden is so beautiful. He keeps the communal areas around the bungalows spotless and well stocked, all at his own expense.”  

It is not Mr Clayton’s first taste of garden glory – last year he won best communal garden and ploughed his £50 straight back into the communal areas.