A CASTLE’S head gardener has received one of the highest accolades in his profession.

Martin Duncan, head gardener at Arundel Castle, was given this year’s Kew Guild Medal last month.

Born in Zimbabwe, Martin’s career as a celebrated professional gardener and landscape designer has taken him across the world – as far afield as Africa, Jordan, Bermuda as well as France.

He started at Arundel Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Norfolk, in 2009, since when he has designed a unique Stumpery Garden as well as one of the country’s largest annual tulip festivals every spring.

As a medal recipient he joins the nation’s top gardeners including Alan Titchmarsh.