A RETIRED miner, making his show debut, won the coveted Advertiser/Messenger award at a top fuchsia show at the weekend.

Fuchsia fans from a wide area of the Midlands were at Webbs garden centre, at Wychbold, for North Worcestershire Fuchsia Society's 22nd annual show.

Harold Hatton, 75 next month, won the award for a beginner entering the best hanging pot of fuchsias, sponsored by this newspaper.

Harold, from Highley, near Bridgnorth, who spent 25 years underground at a pit near his home, said he was thrilled to win.

He plans to spend the £25 prize money on buying new plants to enter other classes next year.

His entry of the variety Lillian Annetts was made up of plants given to him by his son-in-law, Dean Law.

Society president Ray Vincent, from Meadow Road, Catshill, said it was one of their best ever shows.

"I congratulate everyone involved for putting on such a marvellous show. We had a lot of very kind remarks from the 1,400 plus visitors," he said.

For Ray it was a successful show. He walked away with the best in show award.