A WOMAN who battled back to health after brain surgery has created a floral wonderland in her garden to give thanks for every day of her life.

Christine Metcalfe, 51, of Kirkdale, Osbaldwick, was given a week to live when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1981, and she underwent an emergency operation and a course of radiotherapy which left her blind in one eye.

Since then she has opened up her house and garden every year to the public to raise money for charity.

Christine said: "I've made Bill and Ben, the Flowerpot Men, in the garden complete with Little Weed.

"I'm so grateful for every year I live and I dedicate my time to my home and garden. I think it's beautiful and everybody else does, so when you can share it with other people, that's the greatest joy."

Christine feels that raising money for charity is in some way paying back the gratitude she feels for having been allowed to recover from her illness.

She said: "I had a really rough time but I'm one of the lucky ones and I'm just so grateful."

This year she raised £225 for the Cats Protection League and the RSPCA.