ONE of the two counties' most celebrated gardeners will follow in the footsteps of TV legend Alan Titchmarsh when he presents Gardeners' World this spring.

Monty Don, aged 47, has lived just outside Leominster, in Herefordshire, for the last decade, and begins as the programme's host in April.

However, Alan Titchmarsh's decision to stand down as presenter heralded the end of an era for the 34-year-old show.

"I've had a wonderful seven years presenting Gardeners' World and I wish Monty Don every success in taking over," he said.

Don's previous TV work includes gardening expert on ITV's This Morning, and presenter of Channel 4's Real Gardens and Don Roaming.

He has also written extensively on the subject.

His books include The Prickotty Bush, The Weekend Gardener and Fork to Fork, and he is currently gardening editor and columnist at The Observer.

Don's upcoming books include Organic Gardening, to be published later this year, and The Jewel Garden, to be released in 2004.

He has a two-acre garden at his Herefordshire home, where he lives with his wife, Sarah, and his three children.

The first programme in the new series of Gardeners' World will be shown on Friday, April 11, at 8.30pm on BBC2.