A BUDDING gardener has abandoned school to pursue his favourite hobby as a career - at the tender age of 14.

James Dalton, of Rose Farm, Church Fenton, has been passionate about gardening all his life, but has now launched his own business growing and selling plants to the public.

The former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil began to "branch out" by starting a bridge course with the York Training Centre last September, which saw him in work-based learning one day a week. By Christmas he was blossoming so much that his parents decided to support him in leaving school and taking up his hobby full-time.

Now James is working on a placement at Grimston Park Nursery and a worm farm near Howden, while studying GCSE maths, English and science at home.

Tadcaster Grammar School work-based learning manager Clare Adamson said: "James was a great student and opted to do work-related learning, where students spend one day a week in the training centre.

York Training Centre school projects manager Phillip Metcalfe said: "James was probably the 14-year-old most ready for the world of work that I have ever seen."

James said: "It's different and I really enjoy it. All my friends think it's a great idea - how many of them can earn hundreds of pounds in a weekend?"

Updated: 11:38 Friday, May 28, 2004