A YOUNG couple have had their dowdy backyard transformed in to a tropical oasis by the City Gardener.

Sarah and Simon Day, both 28, admitted that the yard behind their Edwardian terraced house in Prospect Terrace, York, was nothing more than "a home for the wheelie bin" before they were introduced to Matt James, host of Channel 4's City Gardener.

But now,, thanks to eight days of hard labour by green-fingered Matt and his team, they have a tranquil haven complete with cedar wood decking, water features and exotic tree ferns to relax in.

The pair are both fans of the show - now in its third series. They originally went on to its website looking for tips, and as a bit of a joke applied to go on the show instead.

That was inThat was back in July last year, and they couldn't believe it when months later they heard they July in July last year. They couldn't believe it when months later they heard they were one of eight homes on a shortlist for the show.

Sarah, a marketing manager for McCain Food, in Scarborough, and Simon, a history teacher at Boroughbridge High School, got married in September.

Not long after they had a visit from Matt, who chose them ahead of a house in Harrogate for the show.

In February, he returned, complete with camera crew, to do the work.

There are now no traces of the "concrete jungle" that once existed, and instead the couple can enjoy the raised beds and lush foliage that have sprung up in its place.

Recently, Sarah got the chance to christen the garden and invite friends round for her 28th birthday party.

She said: "It's really something else. We are just out there all the time now.

"You see people crying and carrying on on the TV like idiots, but really it is quite emotional."

Sarah had firm ideas of what the garden should be like and challenged Matt over one or two of his ideas, forcing him to the return to the drawing board, but she insisted there were no hard feelings. She said: "Matt was absolutely lovely, really, really down to earth and he worked so hard I think I saw him sit down once the whole time they were here - he's absolutely passionate about plants."

The City Gardener was being screened tonight (Thursday), on Channel 4, at 8.30pm.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, April 14, 2005