Young Cambridge gardener scoops gong

After two previous appearances in the final of a prestigious gardening competition, a Cambridge University grower has finally won the contest.

Faye Steer made it third time lucky by winning the Royal Horticultural Society Young Horticulturalist of the Year.

The 28-year-old has been handed a £2,000 grant that will allow her to travel and study plants anywhere in the world.

To win the prize, she had to complete a quick-fire quiz round and three rounds of plant identification with a better time and score than seven others.

"I honestly didnt think I stood a chance of winning. The other competitors were so strong. It became really exciting towards the end, with all of us determined to win," she told the RHS.

Having completed her training at Pershore College and the universitys Botanic Garden, Ms Steer now works as deputy head gardener at Madingley Hall – home to Cambridges Institute of Continuing Education.

In other news, the RHS recently appointed a new director-general in the shape of former Kuoni managing director Sue Biggs.