A MALVERN man has beaten more than 1,300 candidates for a place on the ground-breaking Homebase Garden Academy training programme.

Thirty years old Mike Gogerty, who lives in Malvern Link, now has a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop his gardening skills, in addition to working alongside award-winning gardener designer Adam Frost.

Over the next 12 months, Mr Gogerty will spend time learning from Adam about garden planning and design, working with top garden suppliers to develop his product knowledge covering planting and landscaping, and learn practical horticultural skills to earn him a RHS level one award qualification. At other times, he will be working full-time at the Homebase store at Worcester Blackpole to help customers with their gardening dilemmas.

He said: "I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to turn my passion into a career. I’ve always loved gardening and being outdoors, so I can’t wait to get started.”

Adam Frost added: "This is the second year we have run the Garden Academy training programme, and I’m delighted to be involved again in such a rewarding scheme. Attracting young people into careers in gardening is increasingly challenging. By working with Homebase, we have the opportunity to do something special and inspire the next generation of gardeners.”

Matthew Compton, Homebase garden trading director said: “As one of the UK’s leading garden retailers, we are committed to championing horticulture as a great career choice, and we are excited to welcome our second intake of Garden Academy students to what we know will be a great start to their careers.”