A LANDSCAPING apprentice, who spent 16 hours creating a garden from scratch, has been named as the gardening winner of the most prestigious vocational education and skills excellence event in the world.

Adam McGarry, 21, who was the only landscape gardening finalist from the South West won gold for his creation at the WorldSkills competition at Birmingham NEC on November 16-18.

The 21-year-old, who is studying at Wiltshire College's Lackham campus, said: “I was really surprised and excited to make the final, but to win, is absolutely amazing. It hasn’t really sunk in yet; it feels very surreal, but at the same time I am so happy to think I am currently number one in the country.

“I was really pleased with my completed garden, but didn’t think for one minute I would win. Landscaping was the second to last category at the medal ceremony so it was a long wait to find out, and when they called my name to go up on stage, I just couldn’t believe it.”

Mr McGarry was one of more than 500 young tradesmen and women to compete in 55 disciplines in everything from aircraft maintenance to 3D games design, beauty therapy and cyber security.

He was also invited to an awards ceremony at the Hilton where he was presented with his medal. He will also be considered for Team UK selection for the international finals in Budapest and Kazan in Russia.

Jennifer Mellows, head of Land-based at Lackham, said: “We are absolutely thrilled by Adam's success at WorldSkills. Adam demonstrated his determination and passion to succeed early on in the competition and his hard work and effort has really paid off.

“The horticulture department at our Lackham campus is thriving as we continue to deliver study programmes that equip our learners with the skills and abilities that the industry wants.

"We are very proud of Adam's success and grateful as well to Adam's employer for his continued support for both Adam and Lackham.”