A gardener has been shortlisted for a prestigious national competition which could win her a celebrated prize.Prue Kahn, from Gooderstone, has been working in the printing industry all her life.

A gardener has been shortlisted for a prestigious national competition which could win her a celebrated prize.

Prue Kahn, from Gooderstone, has been working in the printing industry all her life.

But, at the age of 49, she has decided to combine her profession with her passion - gardening - and enter the famous BBC Gardeners' World competition.

She has recently been selected and her project - Go Native - will feature at the NEC in Birmingham between June 11 and 15.

“The judges were probably impressed with my brief and the choice of plants - all native,” she says.

“The 'Go Native' garden illustrates how an interesting design can be achieved by looking no further than native British plants, materials and craftsmanship. Visitors to this garden can see with their own eyes how man's carbon footprint in this design has been extremely light as well as plants, materials and craftsmanship are all available throughout the UK.”

Mrs Kahn said the 24 sq m garden, above, could be built successfully in the town, bringing once common plants and wildflowers back to urban gardens, or equally successfully in the country where it could spill over into the landscape.

To be able to buy the materials, Mrs Kahn relies however on donations from people who will find their design interesting.

Anyone willing to help Prue Kahn can contact her on 01366 328200 or 07928 713608.