Celebrity makeover for country's worst beer garden

A pub has been given a Charlie Dimmock makeover after being told it had the worst beer garden in the country.

Following a nationwide search, the Jubilee in York scooped the prize for the most rundown and neglected garden in the UK.

Now it has been transformed with a £10,000 makeover, designed by the celebrity gardener.

Organisers of the national competition, run in association with Ronseal Eco, searched for the most neglected gardens in a bid to get pubs to make the most of their outdoor areas.

People were asked to nominate their local "beer gardens of shame" and a panel of experts chose a shortlist of 10 pubs.

Criteria included the pub's role in the community and the garden's potential.

Winning licensee Sue Callaghan, said: "It's been at least five years since we've done anything to the garden. As the grass got longer, and the benches rotted away, customers stopped going out there, but hopefully that will all change now."

Dimmock, best known for presenting Ground Force, worked with a team of landscapers to revamp the garden and brought in bespoke furniture made from recycled wood.

She said: "It has been a pleasure to see how a completely dilapidated beer garden can be transformed. Although we have done this on quite a grand scale, landlords could easily spruce up their outdoor areas on a budget and a bit of TLC."

James Smith of Ronseal added: "A well presented beer garden can really boost profits and attract customers."

Others on the shortlist included the Thornberries in Greater Manchester and the Malt & Hops in London.