Amateur gardener claims bronze prize at Gardening World Cup

Jonathan Denby was the only amateur gardener in the event and saw his Beatrix Potter-inspired cottage garden gain recognition despite numerous problems in the run up to the event.

Quarantine officials in Japan stopped Mr Denby having full access to the items he shipped from the UK due to a rogue snail found in amongst his equipment. As a result he was left without some stone walling and various artefacts for the garden.

“Maybe we could have done a little bit better if we had the stone walling and artefacts in place for judging but unfortunately it arrived too late,” he told the North West Mail.

Despite all the problems, Mr Denby managed to secure third place in the competition for the second year running after gaining recognition for his Frank Taylor Memorial Peace Garden last year