TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular and well-known gardener from Stourport-on-Severn

Frank Young, who was a member of both Stourport and Astley Horticultural Societies for more than 50 years, died last Friday at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, aged 94.

Mr Young, who had six children and eight grandchildren, exhibited his prize-winning plants and flowers around the country.

Michael Ecob, Astley Horticul-tural Society's chairman for 18 years, said the group was planning a tribute to the "much-loved" member, who joined in 1952. He said: "It came as quite of a shock when I heard this sad news. It is a great loss to the society. I do not think there is anything in the Astley cupboard he did not win. We will have a memorial trophy in his honour.

"He was a fantastic character and the last of the living legends, Everyone will miss him greatly."

Mr Young's funeral takes place at St Bartholomew's Church, in Areley Kings, on Friday, March 31, at 10.45am, followed by cremation at Worcester.

Mr Young, whose wife, Marjorie, died 18 years ago, was born in Wales and left for Canada in 1928, where he spent seven years working on a farm.

He later held a clerical position at Great Western Railways and worked at Stourport Power Plant before retiring in 1976 after 24 years on the security staff at Kidderminster's former IMI Summerfield.