For some people gardening is simply a chore, while for others it’s a productive way of relaxing.

But for green-fingered 86-year-old Delphine Maw who has lovingly tended the same Otley allotment for more than 60 years, it’s a real passion.

Delphine, of Otley, loves horticulture so much that she even named her two daughters, Marigold and Primula, after flowers. Her sons, Graham and Chris escaped the same fate!

Her work at Burras Lane Allotments with her late husband, Cyril, provided the family with fresh fruit and vegetables for decades.

Now health concerns have convinced her it’s time to part with the plot – but her fellow allotment holders gave her a big send-off.

She said: “I’d gone down to the allotments for what I thought was just a faith supper and get together, but was very surprised and delighted to see that they’d gone to a lot of trouble in my honour. There was a marvellous spread and they took my photo, gave me all kinds of gifts and made a speech. I felt very honoured!"