The longest-standing plot holder at an allotment site is hanging up his gardening tools after more than half a century working on his patch.

Norman Smith, 89, has tended to his plot for almost 60 years, having held the posts of secretary and treasurer during his decades as a member of the Baildon Horticultural Society.

In recognition of the stalwart gardener the society is naming a trophy after him, which will be presented at its annual show to the best exhibitor of sweet peas.

Society life vice-president Don Butterfield said Mr Smith was a “master” of the sweet pea.

He said: “Norman is the longest-standing allotment holder and I’d imagine he’s the longest-standing one we’ve ever had.

“He is a very good gardener and he’s kept a very good allotment. He’s also a very good showman.

“Norman likes to eat his produce and apart from that he has put his heart and soul into the allotment.

“He’s been a mainstay of the society for as long as I can remember.”

Mr Smith said his love of gardening blossomed with encouragement from his late wife Vera, with whom he used to work on the allotment, providing vegetables for family meals.

He even battled a back injury recently to tend to his plot, one of 86 at the Charlestown allotment site.

He said: “I cracked two vertebrae but my friends at the allotment gathered round and helped me through. I didn’t give it up.”

Mr Smith still visits his allotment weekly.

“Everybody down there now is comparatively new,” he said. “We had a lot of knowledgeable people in the society. I used to organise trips and made some good friends.”