A DURSLEY horticulturalist has been voted the best garden designer across two counties.

When award-winning lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos asked its readers to vote for their favourites across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, Gardens Designed by Sue - run by Sue Parry - topped the poll.

Originally a technician in the nuclear industry, green-fingered Sue decided she wanted to use her aptitude for transforming outdoor spaces to help people develop their dream gardens.

Sue said: “Your garden can be a place where you escape the chaos of daily life, a place of sanity, giving you room to breathe, feel the sun, connect with nature and relax.

“My garden has always been my sanctuary and I want to give that to other people.”

All the time that Sue worked in the power sector, her garden provided a calm haven to retreat to.

She said: “I spent many years putting my physics degree to good use whilst working as a technical specialist in the nuclear industry.

“Gardening was always a hobby for me and a way to escape from the pressures of work and the stresses and strains of everyday life.”

Eventually she considered turning her hobby into a full-time job.

“I decided to take control and turn my passion into a career and seized the opportunity to spend a year studying for my Professional Garden Design Diploma at the Cotswold Gardening School in Gloucestershire.”

This combination of passion and hard work has paid off, with Sue being voted the best garden designer in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

Sue said she was delighted to win the award.

For further information about Sue and her work see: gardensdesignedbysue.co.uk/

For details of all Muddy Stilettos winners across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire see: glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/