A GREEN fingered teenager with cerebral palsy has won a prize for his gardening skills.

And the feat is all the more incredible because wheelchair bound Stephen Ward, 14, is also blind.

He has won a highly commended certificate in the annual Bolton in Bloom contest.

His proud mum Dorothy Carling of Sandham Walk, Great Lever, explained how Stephen was able to create his award-winning hanging basket.

"Because he is blind he made the hanging basket from herbs which he could smell," she said.

"We entered the competition as a joke really and we were stunned when we got the call to say he'd won a prize."

Dorothy admits that tears came to her eyes when Stephen, a pupil at Birtenshaw School, Bromley Cross was presented with his highly commended certificate at a special awards ceremony at the Beaumont Hotel.

"It was a very touching moment," she said.

And now the family are working on their entry for next year's Bolton in Bloom competition.

"But we'll take it seriously this time," said Dorothy.

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