GREEN-fingered Gordon Wilkinson would put Wimbledon Common's Wombles to shame with his knack of utilising junk.

The ingenious nature-lover has transformed his patch into his very own oasis using reclaimed products - without forking out a fortune.

And his reward is scooping first place in this year's South Ribble Gorgeous Garden Competition.

Gordon first discovered his talent for transforming trash into treasure when he first moved into Regency Avenue, in Cuerden Park, Lostock Hall, 10 years ago.

Gordon, took voluntary redundancy several years ago, said: "The garden was a swamp so the first job I did was drain the water off. "Then one day I was helping my friend, who is a plumber, to throw away his rubbish when I realised that the old sinks, toilets and baths could be put to use in my garden."

Gordon was bitten by the recycling bug and has since used reclaimed wood, bricks and other building materials to improve his private nature reserve. Families of ducks, hedgehogs, and squirrels are already reaping the benefits and the two large and three small ponds he has created are stocked with wild fish, including carp and roach.

Locals now refer to his haven as Lostock Hall's "Garden of Eden".

Gordon added: "I have now started planting on the garage roof because I am running out of space.

"It has been a rewarding hobby and I would love to continue adding more features to the garden."

He now has high hopes for his entry into the Citizen-backed Barton Grange Glorious Gardens Competition 1998, which will be decided next month.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.