A FARNWORTH gardener chosen to represent the NSPCC at this week’s Tatton Flower Show has been awarded a prestigious award for his creation.

Andrew Walker’s specially designed ‘Safe from Harm’ garden was one of just five show gardens that received a silver gilt medal at the show this week.

He was chosen to create the garden to demonstrate the hard work that the NSPCC’s ChildLine School Service provides, showing what a child’s life might be both with and without the charity.

Awards of bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold are handed out to show gardens that stand out to judges for their creativity and overall beauty.

The designer, who works for Bolton-based award winning Walker Landscape Design, has created sections within the design to show how the charity helps give children an understanding of what abuse is, the skills to protect themselves and where to go for help if they need it.

It has been designed and built to raise awareness of the importance of protecting future gener-ations from abuse.

Since the NSPCC started exhibiting at Tatton in 2010, it has helped to raise more than £15,000 from donations at the show.

Mr Walker said: “I am delighted to receive the award for the garden.

“It is great to be recognised by such a prestigious event. It makes it all worthwhile. I am also really happy for the charity because the more publicity they get, the better.”

Mr Walker designed the garden to highlight the work that the NSPCC does, helping thousands of children a year who are suffering from abuse.

He said: “The garden depicts what the world would be like for those children with and without the charity.

“So one part is dark to show the fear and upset that the child might go through if the NSPCC wasn’t there to support them, then there is a bright and happy section which shows it as the child’s lifeline.

“Then at the centre of the garden there’s a carved wooden sculpture which highlights happiness and safety where children are free to enjoy their childhood.

“I am delighted to have been chosen to take part in such a worthwhile project.

“The reaction from the show so far has been amazing.

“People are really interested in it. Plus, it means that the charity gets a good bit of publicity which is what matters.”

The Tatton Flower Show is on at Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire, until Sunday.

Mr Walker’s garden is also up for the People’s Choice Award, which people can vote for at rhs.org.uk