GREEN-fingered residents of an Abingdon care home have taken top place in a gardening competition.

Abingdon Court Care Home, in Marcham Road, won the Carebase Making a Difference Challenge, organised by the South East-based care home group.

Celebrity gardener Matthew Biggs presented the award.

Home manager Sherrie Hume said: "We are delighted to have won this competition.

"Staff and residents alike have really rallied together over the past few months and their enthusiasm and commitment really shows.

"Every aspect of the garden was considered and the result reflects the memories of many of the residents living with dementia. We now have a quintessentially British cottage garden complete with a hideaway shed - where residents can often be found reading the paper."

Several of the male residents used to be employed at the MG car factory and part of the garden contains an old car.

A brightly painted beach hut with sand, stones, deckchairs and a mangle also adorns one corner of the garden.

Mr Biggs, panellist on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, said: "The gardens were of an exceptional standard and Abingdon Court really stood out for its creativity. The garden is a wonderful place to sit, relax and reflect on the cameos of everyday life that inspire us all."

The garden won £500 for the staff and residents.