THE new millennium has sprouted an MBE for Ilkley's most famous green-fingered former resident.

Alan Titchmarsh became a Member of the British Empire in the New Year's honours list.

The 50 year-old received the honour for services to horticulture and broadcasting. He said he was chuffed to bits.

Mr Titchmarsh's horticultural career has bloomed and his television appearances have blossomed since leaving Ilkley for pastures new.

He is one of the stars of the BBC TV hit series Ground Force and he was pictured on our television screens last Sunday creating a new garden for the former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Mr Mandela was clearly delighted with his surprise from Mr Titchmarsh and the team, but it is now the Ilkley man's turn to celebrate.

He said: "I am stunned. It is completely out of the blue. I am chuffed to bits.

"I am only a gardener and to get this honour for doing a job I love is wonderful."

Mr Titchmarsh, 50, who has two daughters, Polly, 19, and Camilla, 17, started gardening at the age of ten and went on to become a teaching supervisor at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew.

He has never forgotten his Ilkley roots and returned to the town last year to officially open the new Ilkley Playhouse, having himself been a former Ilkley Player.

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