Blue Peter garden moving to Manchester

Despite reports to the contrary, one of the best-known gardens in the UK is not to be axed from TV.

Reports last week suggested the Blue Peter garden was set to be ditched in favour of a virtual replacement online.

However, the BBC has confirmed this is not the case, with the shows green space being moved to Manchester when the set changes location in 2011.

The current London instalment has been in place for over 30 years and has seen a number of things planted and buried there – not always of the horticultural variety.

In 2004, the shows longest serving pet George the tortoise was buried in the garden by Konnie Huq, Simon Thomas, Matt Baker and Liz Barker.

George had starred on the childrens programme for 22 years and was believed to be in his 80s.

Blue Peter editor Richard Marson said at the time: "George was very popular with several generations of Blue Peter viewers and we will all really miss him."

The London version of the garden was once famously vandalised, with former footballer Les Ferdinand later jokingly claiming responsibility.