ONE of the best small gardens in the country can be found in Marlbook.

That’s the view of judges from a national garden competition organised by the Daily Mail, who picked out Round Hill Garden, in Braces Lane, among the final 12.

More than 2000 small gardens were entered into the competition, with judges looking for those which have been designed, principally built, and maintained by their owners.

Judges visited Round Hill Garden to narrow their shortlist down to the final four, and while it did not make the cut, owners Alan and Lynn Nokes remain proud.

Alan said: “We were astounded but delighted when we heard that we had reached the shortlist, especially when we also heard that over 2,000 gardens had been entered.”

Lynn added: “We were nervous when the judges arrived but they were very complimentary about the design and many aspects of the garden.

“Although we didn’t make the final four, we feel it was an honour to have reached the final 12.”

The gardens open twice a year for the National Garden Scheme (NGS), raising funds for charity.