Protect your gardens, Brits warned

A new survey has shown how British citizens are not the only ones getting rich pickings from their gardens and greenhouses.

The GoCompare.com research revealed almost one in four (24.2 per cent) of homeowners have been the victim of garden crime of some description.

With the average yard now containing £1,040 worth of outdoor furniture, tools and other items, the online resource encouraged horticulture lovers to ensure they are not easy victims.

Valuable plants are often damaged by intruders and the websites chief executive Hayley Parsons urged growers to make sure they are properly covered in their home insurance.

"If the contents of your garden are particularly valuable, you may need to consider a specialist garden insurance policy," she said.

Ms Parsons added there is a trend of Brits investing in their outdoor space – encouraged by numerous TV shows.

In other news, LV= recently revealed there are 30 people on the waiting list for every one allotment plot in the UK.