Island Garden of the Year 2008 winner announced

A stunned Manx woman has won a gardening competition on the Isle of Mann.

Part-time teacher Janet Norris is a gardening enthusiast and won the annual green-fingered competition for the best garden on the island.

The 68-year-old said she was "stunned" after beating of five other nominees to win the Island Garden of the Year 2008 award, according to Isle of Man Today.

Ms Norris said she didnt even expect to be in the final five, never mind win the competition.

"I was amazed and delighted, I couldnt believe it. I didnt think I would win – I was astonished to be in the finals," she told the local paper.

She received a trophy and £500 worth of gardening vouchers, which will no doubt help her make her garden even more lovely.

In addition to that, a slide show of her garden is now available online to help inspire other gardeners to take a leaf from her book.

Those looking to take up gardening seriously should consider the merits of investing in a greenhouse, which should provide a stable environment for establishing young plants before transplanting them outdoors.