GARDENS inspired by everything from football to flooding and health to heritage saw Merseyside gardeners triumph at this year's RHS Flower Show, at Tatton Park.

The spectacular show, which runs until Sunday, awarded top medals to entries from across the city.

Sam Youd, the head gardener at Tatton Park, was awarded two gold medals.

Huyton-Born Mr Youd was instrumental in bringing the RHS show to Tatton 13 years ago, and his Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction show garden is his last before his retirement after 30 years as head gardener.

Mr Youd said: "I don't know what I'll do with myself.

"Probably spend a lot more time in my own garden. I hope I'll be able to bring my own garden to the show one year. It's been such a pleasure over the years – a real high point in the calendar."

Mr Youd has lectured across the world and his last show garden is a Japanese Garden, designed as a celebration of this year’s 100th anniversary of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park – the best Japanese garden in Europe, which Sam helped to renovate during his career.

His second medal was for Tatton's entry to the flower bed competition.