A RESIDENTIAL home for the elderly now has a garden to be proud of - and it could come up trumps in a competition.

Areley House staff and residents - and Stourport Scouts - have crafted colourful creations outside the home in Areley Lane, Stourport. Areley House residents Joan Cooper and Mary Rallings with day care assistant Doris Foster and the plant man in the home's garden.

Now the garden - with hanging baskets, flower beds and a besuited "plant man" - is going up against other homes within the Heart of England Housing and Care group in a competition being judged today.

The Scouts helped clear the greenhouse and summerhouse and paint the garden furniture last month.

Day care assistant Doris Foster, who grew many of the plants, has spelt out Areley House in marigolds and residents have helped water and look after the plants.

"It's gone down well with the residents - they like to go and sit in the garden with their relatives," said Mrs Foster.

"Everybody's taken an interest in it, and it's been quite a laugh and quite a talking point."

She added: "We want to thank the Scouts."

The home's bursar, Sally Yardley, said they were confident the judges would be impressed by what they saw.