TWENTY-TWO year-old garden designer Ben Harrison has reached the runner-up spot in the first major gardening competition he has entered.

Mr Harrison, of Kidderminster, made the shortlist of Grand Design Live’s Garden Designer of the Year awards at the NEC in Birmingham.

His design called the Inside-Out Freecycle Kitchen Garden was described as “a light, easily-maintained space for the design, budget and eco-conscious”.

Both freecycled and freely-available recycled materials being used to create a functional, but whimsical garden, “which plays with the conventions of interior des-ign, and presents a world where the heart of the home is brought outdoors”.

Mr Harrison, who runs BH Designs, attended King Charles I High School in Kidderminster and then Pershore College, part time to gain an NVQ Level 2 in horticultural landscaping.

“I became interested in gardening as a career because of the physical and also mental health benefits,” he explained.

“Being outside in good weather, creating beautiful spaces from forgotten areas, and increasing wildlife habitats really is so gratifying.

“There is nothing better than being paid to do what you love. In doing so, you hardly ever have a day off sick because work usually makes you feel better and you naturally put everything you can into the project to make it succeed.

“The inspiration behind the design is re-using the most unlikely materials to create a completely new purpose.

“With the economy in its current state it is far better to encourage the reuse and recycling of everyday objects to create an attractive design.

“This was my first ever competition entry, although I hope it is the first of many more to come.”