A VISUAL impairment has not stopped Leslie Watts creating an award-winning garden.

Mrs Watts, of Corse, came second in the New to Gardening category of the first national Blind Gardener of the Year competition.

She never considered herself a natural gardener, but when her deteriorating eyesight forced her to retire early two years ago, she decided to have a go.

She now tends to a vibrant garden with an array of vegetables and brightly coloured flowers.

The secret of her success is to work out what she can do, not what her vision prevents her from doing.

"As I'm new to gardening, I didn't have any old habits or routines I had to adapt," she said.

Despite her achievement, she remains modest.

"I have still got a great deal to learn," she said. "But the best lesson I've learned is that I can do it, and after avoiding gardening all my life, I am really enjoying it".