A green-fingered Blackwood tenant has been rewarded for his skills by winning the housing and care provider’s prestigious gardening award.

Edward Stanton, who has been a tenant at Blackwood’s Argyle Street development for 25 years, won the ‘Best Hanging Basket’ award at the charity’s AGM in Largs.

The 78-year-old started work on his balcony five years ago and has since installed four hanging baskets which he believes make the perfect decorations for his balcony.

Edward said: “I have always loved gardening and so I couldn’t believe it when I was awarded ‘Best Hanging Basket’ as I have never won anything for my gardening before.

“My favourite aspect of gardening is getting to sit out on my balcony during the summer and be surrounded by colourful flowers and hanging baskets.

“I definitely plan on entering the competition again and have a few different ideas of what I will do to my balcony and baskets for it.”

The keen gardener first got into the hobby when his family moved into a ground floor flat when he was 19 years old.

Colleen Scott, marketing manager at Blackwood, said: “Every year I look forward to going out and filming the amazing entries to our garden awards. Our customers take great pride in creating truly beautiful spaces.

“Hanging baskets are a great way for our customers that do not have a garden to still get to enjoy gardening. Edward’s hanging baskets are gorgeous so he thoroughly deserved to win. We hope Edward and everyone who put their gardens and hanging baskets forward for this year’s competition is thinking about entering next year and we wish them the best of luck.

“We started the garden awards five years ago as a way for Blackwood to recognise our customers’ creativity and effort to make such lovely outdoor areas. Since then it has taken off and has grown year after year with such impressive gardens each time.”

Since it was founded by Dr Margaret Blackwood in 1972, Blackwood has been a pioneer in both housing and care, constantly innovating in ways large and small that transform the lives of its customers, helping them to live as independently as possible.

Blackwood’s aim is to do whatever it takes to help people have control over their lives in a home that meets their needs, using design and technology to support the services it delivers. It has an outstanding record of adapting properties from entire renovations to minor adaptations which are incredibly liberating to those involved.