GREEN-FINGERED David Kingham, who has been crowned master gardener, says it would not have been possible without his wife.

Mr Kingham beat more than 90 entrants to the title of Master Gardener in Wycombe District Council's annual Tenants Garden Competition.

Proud Mr Kingham, of Glory Close, Wooburn Green, said: "I haven't done too badly and I am very pleased.

"My wife and I both work and take a pride in the garden and without her it wouldn't be possible to keep it like it is."

The couple have won a prize of £100 and the Morris Challenge Cup in the competition, which dates back to 1978 and aims to encourage council tenants to maintain their gardens to a high standard.

Mr Kingham, 82, and other winners will be at a ceremony next month to be awarded their prizes by Cllr Bill Jennings, council chairman.

The former lorry driver and his wife have lived in Wooburn Green for around 20 years but have lived in their Glory Close council property for 11.

He said: "We have lots of plants in the garden. It's fairly large and it doesn't take a lot of work, but without Mary it wouldn't be so nice."

Other winners included Coppice Farm Road Sheltered Scheme, in Tylers Green, for the best Sheltered Housing Scheme, and best wildlife garden went to Wendy Collett of Oakland Way, Flackwell Heath.