AN OKEHAMPTON couple, who had a garden makeover last July courtesy of the BBC's Ground Force team, have received a return visit from the TV gardeners.

Pat and Paul Batten were busy working in their garden in Simmons Way recently when Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh knocked on the door.

Pat said: 'It was such a surprise to see them because it was less than a year ago that the garden was done.

'They were very impressed with what we had achieved because we have put in a lot more plants and some trellis work. It is all taking shape and looks quite good at the moment.'

The Battens were originally 'set up' by their friends Margaret and Peter Thomson because they had always said how they would love to have a Ground Force garden.

Alan Titchmarsh and his team created a garden complete with water feature, raised beds, grasses, stone and gravel and a flower arch leading through to the existing vegetable garden.

Pat, who was delighted with what the team had done, said she was continuing to get great enjoyment out of her garden.

She said: 'Every morning when I get up, I look out the window and if it is not raining I go outside and admire the garden. I am always having a little potter around.'

She said she noticed a lot more butterflies in the garden and unusual insects such as a humming bird hawkmoth.

The Simmons Way resident said Charlie and Tommy spent about an hour with them and they had a 'good old natter.'

'Charlie was impressed with the pool and Tommy laughed because we had not fixed the loose paving slab yet. It was lovely to see them again.'

The Battens have had two casualties since last summer but the majority of the plants have thrived in their 'paradise' garden

'A garden stays nice if you look after it,' said Pat. 'You cannot expect it to look after itself.'

The garden at 22 Simmons Way will be opening this Sunday, along with 12 other gardens in Okehampton, in aid of Fairplace Church Refurbishment Fund.

Programmes for Okehampton Open Gardens cost £2 and are available from the 50/50 shop in The Arcade. Lunches will be served in the Church Schoolroom and packed 'take away' lunches will also be available.

The BBC programme which shows the return visit to the Battens garden will be televised next year.