Green-fingerered Jamie is budding star of gardening

The 17-year-old from Durkar, Wakefield, has won a place in the final four of the gardening category of the BBC’s Young Talent of the Year show.

Jamie, who studies horticulture at Askham Bryan College in Harrogate, will feature on BBC Three at the end of this month after he impressed judges with his enthusiasm.

He said: “I guess it’s quite unusual for someone my age to be that into gardening; it’s not the typical hobby but it’s something I love to do and I think the judges liked that.

“I love being able to sow something and a few months later be able to harvest it – it’s so rewarding and something I encourage anyone to do.

“Being on the show was the best experience of my life by far. It was surreal but absolutely fantastic. I’m only just coming down off the high of getting to the top four.”

Jamie’s interest in gardening grew after he watched BBC TV show Gardeners’ World when he was just 10.

Jamie, who works at First Impressions Nursery at Ackworth, said: “A lot of people get the impression people my age just stand around on street corners and get up to no good, but this is a good way of showing that’s not always the case.”