A HORTICULTURIST from North Yorkshire has been honoured for his contribution to gardening.

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced the recipients of its awards to people who have gone the extra mile in their green-fingered exploits, and they will be presented with either medals or a cap at this week’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Among them is Maurice Jeffrey, from Harrogate, who receives an award for a “significant contribution” towards horticulture in the north of England, with RHS president Elizabeth Banks saying: “These are very special people, whose work has been wide-ranging, impacts on most aspects of gardening and is an inspiration to everybody.”