Bert Winborne, the Burgess Hill gardener who became a star of local radio and had a book written about his life, has died at the age of 97.

Born in Haywards Heath, he decided at 14 against entering the family butcher's business and immediately after the First World War began work as a garden boy at Borde Hill, near Haywards Heath. He worked at several big houses in Sussex, eventually rising to head gardener.

As a young man, he was a PT instructor, an amateur boxer and a regular winner of gardening trophies.

His greatest triumph was in 1952, when he won the Evening News championship of England at Olympia for his display of vegetables.

After this remarkable success when he won a full 39 points out of a possible 40, he retired from competing and became a judge at garden shows throughout Sussex and beyond.

During the Eighties, he became a household name for his regular broadcasts on BBC Radio Brighton, later Radio Sussex.

David Arscott, who interviewed him each week, later wrote a book which told his story, The Upstart Gardener.

Mr Winborne, of Malthouse Lane, leaves a widow, Neana, three daughters and a son, plus grandchildren and great-grandchildren.