SINCE he was a child, York resident Roy Clark has spent his spare time cultivating an allotment under the watchful eye of his father.

Now 78, Mr Clark, from Anthea Drive, Huntington, is still scooping prizes at shows in and around the city for his prize chrysanthemums, the most recent being the Best Exhibit and Best Vase at the Ancient Society of York Florists' November show.

But the green-fingered pensioner is worried that the art of chrysanthemum growing is dying out, and he is keen for young people to take up the challenge.

He said it takes hard work, dedication and a love of flowers to produce prize chrysanthemums, but with practice anybody can do it.

He said: "There's a few reasons for the decline - people go out more for weekends in their cars, especially in the summer.

"And then instead of going out in inclement weather, they stay in and watch television.

"I do feel sad about it, it's a shame because when you go to shows there used to be the comradeship - but that's all gone now. The number of exhibitors has gone down, they are dying off and no one is taking their place. Unless we get some new blood, as far as the chrysanthemum section is concerned, it will be non-existent in five years."

Arthur Robinson, 81, from Jennifer Grove, York, is secretary of the Ancient Society. He said: "There's a different type of gardening now - it's all instant. There are evergreen shrubs, gravel paths and decking, whereas we had to cultivate our chrysanthemums, take them up at the back, bring up the cuttings and really look after them. But the popularity of chrysanths is diminishing, I've noticed it over the last few years. People seem to have far more interesting things to do than spend time growing chrysanthemums."

The society can be contacted on 01904 631866.

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, November 17, 2001