A FORMER addict has swapped the booze for tending to his blooms.

Chris Elliott created a secret garden in an unloved space as he recovered from his addiction.

Now his garden has won an award.

Chris lives in a Brighton Housing Trust move-on project for men and women recovering from addiction.

With the help of his neighbours Mary Penegar and Del Rafferty, who live in BHT flats next door, he has transformed a bare and uninviting space into a bright and cared-for garden with the help of neighbours.

The secret garden has helped bring together the community, in Richmond Gardens, Brighton and united residents of all ages in their green-fingered project.

The garden has been transformed into a colourful oasis with the help of nasturtiums, marigolds, petunias and trailing morning glory.

Transforming the garden has helped Chris transform his life.

He said: “A year ago I was sleeping rough, drinking heavily and going nowhere.

“I then went through a week-long community detox and was offered a place in a BHT rehab community.

“Six months later I moved here, and work on the garden gave me a chance to create something positive in my life and work with others.

“I never intended to enter the competition, but my key worker encouraged me to do it. I’ve never won anything in my life and the award was such a wonderful surprise.”

Chris won the award for the best communal garden in the annual Brighton Housing Trust in Bloom competition.

Chris won a £30 garden centre voucher.

Support staff have been amazed by the dramatic transformation in Chris in less than a year.

BHT tenant liaison officer Alasdair Tenquist said: “It is truly remarkable the way Chris has turned his life around.

“This project really gave Chris something to channel his attention in to and he grabbed it with both hands.

“This is exactly what BHT hopes to do and he’s perfect example of that.

“It’s amazing to think he was living in a sleeping bag behind Sainsbury’s and had been homeless for years.

“He went into a recovery project and is now doing really well.

“He is also really keen to help others.

“He was one of the worst alcoholics and it was destroying his life.

“I saw him the other day and there was a guy crashed out on the floor with a bottle in his hand and he stooped down in the street and was trying to help him.

“He is really trying to use his recovery to help others.”

BHT is marking 50 years of working with homeless men and women in Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.

It provides housing and support for people with complex needs, including those with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems.

Central to its work is helping people into training and employment and a settled life.

A quarter of the trust’s staff were homeless when they first contacted BHT and have successfully made the journey.