by Nick Gutteridge

Britain's top gardening body is set to honour a green-fingered son of Newington next month after a lifetime’s dedication to horticulture.

Chris Lane says he is “very happy” to be receiving the prestigious Veitch Memorial Award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

The prize is awarded in memory of the 19th century horticulturalist James Veitch, one of the founders of Veitch Nurseries, once the largest group of plant growers in Europe.

It is handed to those who have made “an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the art, science or practice of horticulture”.

The 63-year-old’s horticultural career has spanned almost 40 years and he has travelled the globe as president of the International Plant Propagation Society.

The society promotes the art of growers who use shelters like greenhouses and polytunnels to nurture their plants.

Mr Lane, of Callaways Lane, also lectured in horticulture for 20 years at Hadlow College near Tonbridge Wells.

He taught more than 600 students during his time at the college, which specialises in land-based studies like agriculture, equestrian studies and floristry.

He says he is proud of the number of youngsters he has helped towards a career in his field.

His love of plants started as a child, growing up on the cherry farm where he still lives, an experience he describes as “fantastic”.

Mr Lane, who will celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary next year and has two grown up daughters, now owns the Witch Hazel nursery.

He said: “I am very happy to receive this award.

“I’ve had a job to keep it under wraps because I’ve known for about five or six weeks but wasn’t supposed to tell anybody.”

Three other people will also be handed the award at a ceremony at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on July 4.

RHS president Elizabeth Banks has described them as an “inspiration to everyone”.