Yorkshire council house with tropical paradise...

But banana plants, orange and fig trees all flourish outside the home of Mel and Linda Moran, a green-fingered couple whose endeavours have left their garden in the same company as some of this country's grandest homes.

The oasis they have created has been included in a scheme which highlights the gardens most likely to impress visitors.

Work to transform the plot has taken only seven years, inspired by a visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The pair spend any spare cash they have on plants – even asking for money at Christmas from friends and family so they can spend it on compost and help their garden develop.

Their back garden is crammed full of blooms, including unusual tropical plants not usually seen in Castleford.

The couple's Little Eden, which includes what is believed to be the most northerly example of a flowering banana plant in the world, has been accepted into the National Gardens Yellow Book Scheme, which includes well-known gardens including those at Hampton Court Palace, London.

As part of the scheme the garden is opened to the public and visitors can admire the plants for a small fee, which is donated to charity.

The couple have even received a private booking for their hidden oasis of unusual, exotic and tropical plants, which is festooned with climbers, colourful pots and hanging baskets.

The 60ft by 30ft garden is swamped with more than 2,000 plants, including an exotic banana plant.

The Royal Horticultural Society were shocked when the couple reported the plant was flowering in September, although the bananas it produced could not survive the conditions of a Yorkshire winter.

Overall the couple estimate they have spent about 1,500 on their beautiful garden which also features olive, orange and fig trees, as well as kiwi fruit, kumquats, blueberry, and pomegranate plants.

They snapped up a rare Wollemi pine, once thought to be extinct but rediscovered in Australia six years ago, for just 30, but their most unusual plant is a yellow flowering Madagascar palm, which cost 50.

Mrs Moran, 61, a carer, has always been a keen gardener but it was only when she visited the Eden Project in Cornwall with her 62-year-old husband that she decided to try growing tropical plants in the garden of her council home seven years ago.

The proud great-grandmother said: "Just because we live on a council estate doesn't mean we can't take pride in our garden. I love how unusual it is to have tropical plants on the estate.

"When people walk past they always stop to have a look.

"We don't drink or smoke or go out much, any money we have goes on plants. At Christmas I just ask for money so I can spend it on compost. My kids think I'm crazy, but they love the garden."

Mr Moran, who is disabled and has to use a walking stick, helps out in the garden as much as he can.

He said: "It's a small space but we've managed to fit in a summerhouse, a greenhouse, a garage and a pond, as well as all the plants. It really has to be seen to be believed."

The couple applied to join the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) when Mrs Moran's elderly aunt Betty Clarke, 75, persuaded them.

The NGS scheme was founded in 1927 to raise cash for the Queen's Nursing Institute by asking individuals and organisations to open up gardens of interest to the public in return for a small entry fee.

Today, large gardens, together with thousands of smaller gardens, all open to help the NGS carry on its work raising money for charity.

Growing desire for own fruit and veg

Interest in "growing your own" fruit and vegetables is getting stronger and stronger, organisers of the Hampton Court Palace flower show said yesterday as the event geared up for its 21st year.

Home grown and local produce is a major feature at the show, which also has a series of sustainable gardens, as well as a bee-friendly show garden and areas with cookery demonstrations designed to give people ideas of how to cook the produce they grow.

Bob Sweet, head of shows development at the Royal Horticultural Society which runs the event, said "grow your own" was an important area for the show - with continued interest from the public. "We thought at some stage the bubble would burst. It hasn't, it's got stronger and stronger."

The home grown centrepiece features crops including sunflowers, maize, oats, barley and apples.