Recovering alcoholic turns life around with gardening

A recovering alcoholic has explained how he used garden and greenhouse skills to turn his life around.

Alastair Kirkhope was once homeless and unemployed, but used his passion for growing to transform his fortunes, BBC News revealed.

The 56-year-old Kelso man has been short listed for the Crisis Changing Lives Champions Awards long-term achiever honour after he set up his own gardening business.

After overcoming his alcohol demons, Mr Kirkhope used the knowledge he acquired from his previous work as an agronomist to set up his company.

He explained he is now enjoying life and is pleased to have gained weight, despite working hard to grow his firm.

"Im working full time at the moment and to be quite honest, I dont have an awful lot to worry about," he told the news provider.

His story follows that of a former homeless man in Londons Tower Hamlets, who now teaches others how to grow their own plants, fruit and vegetables.