A SOUTH Gloucestershire gardener is hoping that her career will move up a gear, thanks to a successful show garden at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, which was held at the Three Counties Showground last week.

Sue Luce, from Stoke Gifford, won a bronze medal for the Cyclo Tourisme ‘Velocio’ garden, which celebrates the famous Tour de France cycle race, as well as the grand seigneur of French cycling, Paul de Vivie, who invented the derailleur gears.

The garden comprises three main sections which follow the course of the 1903 race, from the outskirts of Paris through to the rural landscape of the Alps.

“I’ve always loved the Tour de France, although my husband is the real cyclist,” said Sue, who was showing off her skills at the show for the first time, “I’m not very keen on the rain – or the lycra!

“I’m really pleased to have an RHS medal for my first attempt, because not all first timers manage to get one.

“Everyone here at the showground has been so supportive, though. They’ve been really helpful and given me lots of advice for next time – although when that will be I’m not too sure, as preparing a garden like this takes a lot of time.”

The Autumn show returns to Malvern, September 28-29