A GARDEN designer from Farnworth has scooped a prestigious silver award at this year's Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show at Tatton Park in Cheshire. Green-fingered Andrew Walker impressed judges with his "World On Your Doorstep" display that combined colourful banks of flowers from different corners of the world.

The Tropics, the Continent and the Mediterranean were represented with flowers imported from far-flung countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.

The show garden, sponsored by Manchester Airport and British Airways, was created for the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

Mr Walker, aged 35, said: "Christie's is a marvellous place with a worldwide reputation for cancer treatment and that was my inspiration for this garden design.

"I am thrilled to win a silver medal this year and now we're determined to be here again next year and go for a gold medal."

Mr Walker is a regular exhibitor at the Southport Flower Show and the Tatton Park show and has also worked at the Gardeners' World Show at Birmingham and the Chelsea Flower Show.

Volunteers were recruited by Christie's to help create the garden that had a central water feature to maintain its tropical theme.

Thousands of visitors visited Tatton Park last weekend for the annual show.

Toni Leden, appeals director at Christie's, said: "Andrew has worked very hard to produce a remarkable garden and we're extremely pleased with the end result.

"It is a real pleasure to see how everything has come together and we hope visitors will enjoy it just as much."