AN 82-year-old Spa woman is blooming with pride at the seven beautiful flowers on her yucca plant - and says the secret of her success is talking to it and giving it bucket loads of attention.

Green-fingered Anna Gwilliam, of St Nicholas Street, was given a cutting of the spiky plant, which is native to America, Mexico and the West Indies, more than 20 years ago by her hairdresser.

She planted it in a pot in the corner of her garden and it has gone from strength to strength.

But in that time it has bloomed just twice and never with seven of the distinctive cream coloured flowers.

Plucky Anna still tends to all her flowers, plants and trees by herself and the hundreds of roses, geraniums and clematis flowers provide a busy riot of colour throughout the garden.

Anna, who is originally from Aachen in Germany, said: "I think it must be in my genes because my grandad worked in a nursery and my mother was a farmer's daughter. I enjoy working in the garden."

She added: "The yucca has been a little damaged by the stormy weather recently but it still looks beautiful. It must be because I have been talking to it!"

Anna has always enjoyed gardening but has been particularly passionate about it since her husband Bill, who was actually born in St Nicholas Street, died four years ago.

Anna's neighbour, Peter Hartland said: "The garden is an absolute picture. For a woman of her age I think she is remarkable."