GREEN-fingered Bob and Joyce Humphries have transformed a plain patch of Herefordshire field into the best water garden in the country.

Mr and Mrs Humphries have spent 13 years and thousands of pounds transforming their half-acre garden near Bishop's Frome into the country's best water garden.

The couple entered their pride and joy in a competition run by the national magazine, Water Gardener but never expected to win.

However, their success was announced in the April edition of the magazine and they picked up a rose bowl and £500.

This is the 16th award for the couple, who have won other titles such as gardeners of the year in Garden News, and local competitions.

"We are not allowed to enter any local competitions any more," said Mr Humphries.

The garden includes 11 water features, 400 roses, 100 clematis, 50 free-standing fuchsias and 14 seating areas.

"I'm working in the garden 25 hours a day," said Mr Humphries, aged 73, who still works as a barber in Droitwich every Tuesday.

"We get up very early and come out in the garden and, depending on the weather, we stay out until it goes dark," said Mrs Humphries.

The garden is split into a variety of different "rooms" with different themes such as Mediterranean and Japanese. "I can't walk past a nursery without going in," said Mrs Humphries, who also works in a residential care home.

The couple will be opening the garden to the public this year six times, with the first on Sunday, May 26, from 2pm to 6pm.

An evening opening will be held on Wednesday, July 10, from 6pm to 9pm, including cheese and wine.

All the proceeds go towards Cancer Research through the National Gardens Scheme.

"I lost my first husband and Bob lost his first wife to cancer so, by raising the money, we feel like we are giving something back to the community," said Mrs Humphries.

Past public openings have proved very popular, with people travelling from Surrey and Kent.

The visitors' books include comments by people from Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Private viewing can be arranged by calling 01885 490273.

The garden is also appearing in next month's edition of Woman's World and will feature in a new BBC 2 series Stefan's Ultimate Gardens.