A Lostock Hall pensioner has been highly recommended in the first national Blind Gardener of the Year competition.
Valerie Parkinson, 66, of Todd Lane North, Lostock Hall, won the acclaim for her colourful and diverse garden which she has spent the last eleven years pruning and preening.
Mrs Parkinson, who is partially sighted, has been gardening for more than 60 years. She was chosen by expert gardener and television presenter, Monty Don and the director general of the Royal Horticultural Society, Andrew Colquhoun.
Mrs Parkinson began to lose her vision when she was in her fifties but it does not stop her from getting out in the garden and showing her family the ropes. She said: "If I did not have my garden I would have gone round the bend by now and I do worry about how much longer I will be able to see and keep my exacting standards.
"However, if I have been able to instil in two other people a love of gardening then I'll be happy."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article