A GREEN-fingered gardener has been nominated for a special award in recognition of his efforts.

Walney School's Josh Clark has been nominated for the Royal Horticultural Societies Young School Gardener of the Year 2019.

Josh, 16, has been shortlisted as one of just 16 finalists across the country.

He will now attend a special awards ceremony where he and the other finalists will be given a VIP treatment as well as an overnight stay before the overall winner is crowned.

In the meantime, Josh will have to make a video of himself in the school garden to be shown to the panel of judges.

The video is Josh’s chance to show how much gardening means to him and what sets him apart from the rest of the nominees.

Josh was nominated by his biology teacher Lisa Devonald.

She has done a lot of work with Josh in the garden, looking at wildlife.

She said: “He likes to do a lot of outdoor stuff. We were over the moon when we found out he had been shortlisted for the final.”

“He has done so well. He will be given a trophy and a certificate for getting this far.

“Then he and four adults will be invited to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens and be given the VIP treatment for the day.

“He’s always so energetic and enthusiastic about everything, so it’s great to see him get to the final.”

Josh was very excited when he found out and is very much looking forward to the final.

He said he felt ‘awesome’ to be told he had been shortlisted.

The overall winner will win a fantastic patio glasshouse from Hartley Botanic, tickets for either Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2020 or RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2020, and their school will receive £100 worth of seeds and an extra £250 in National Garden Gift vouchers – a total of £500.

A celebrity gardener will also spend a day with the winner at their school.

The prize-giving takes place at RHS Garden Wisley in June.