Chelsea triumph is third time lucky for garden designer

His Winds of Change garden, sponsored by Stockton Drilling Ltd of Wakefield, includes reclaimed cobbles, glass clippings and even a Victorian safe and prison door bought over the internet.

Mr Dunstan, whose family run a nursery at Braithwell near Rotherham, was hoping to beat the Silver Flora awards he won with his two previous gardens at the show.

He said: “I got some thumbs up from other exhibitors when I came in so I knew I had done well and was delighted when I saw it was gold. It was a few minutes before I noticed the other award lying on the path and realised I had won the Best in Show in my section as well. I must say I felt a bit wobbly.”

Leeds City Council is also celebrating after securing a second gold in a row with its Hesco garden complete with giant water wheel.

The City’s parks and countryside service made history last year when it became the first local authority produced garden ever to win a gold in the large outdoor show category.

“This is an absolutely fantastic result and proves once again that in Leeds we have the talent to compete and succeed against the best in the world,” said Coun Adam Ogilvie.

The Best in Show in the outdoor gardens was Cleve West’s Daily Telegraph entry while Diarmuid Gavin, inset, won his first Chelsea gold for his Irish Sky garden.

Another exhibitor enjoying a golden return was sweet pea grower David Matthewman from Thorpe Audlin, Pontefract who launched Clementine Kiss,, a new orange variety and won his 13th top award at Chelsea after deciding he had retired too soon from the show.