HORTICULTURAL expert and former Malvern Gazette gardening columnist Jim Tudge died this week, aged 90.

Mr Tudge passed away on Monday at home in West Malvern, having been ill for some time.

He was a born and bred Malvern man, having spent his early years in the Wyche area.

Educated at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, Mr Tudge became a manager of building firm W James of Upper Colwall. In 1942, he married Mary and they had four sons, Christopher, Jeremy, Nicholas and Paul.

Gardening was his great passion and he was involved with leading local and national horticultural groups, serving as vice-president of the National Vegetable Society for some years.

Mr Tudge was a judge at flower and vegetable shows all over the country and was a founder member of the Wyche and Colwall Horticultural Society in the 1960s. He also has strong links with the Malvern Horticultural Society.

He was also a member of the congregation at Malvern Priory, where he served on the parochial church council.

Friend and horticulturalist Paul Picton said: "Jim was a good friend to all who knew him and to anyone concerned with gardening. He was wonderful in encouraging other people to grow and to enter flower and vegetable shows."

Mr Tudge shared his knowledge with readers of the Malvern Gazette, to which he contributed a regular gardening column for many years.

David Chappell of the National Vegetable Society said: "Jim was known, respected and loved all over the country."