A WELL known West Country businessman has joined the team restructuring a top tourist attraction near Yelverton this winter.
Mike Leece, chief executive of Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium, has joined the team of eight trustees which own The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum.
The Fortescue Garden Trust administers the ten acres of gardens surrounding the ruins of a medieval vicarage, plus plant sales centre and tea rooms.
Admiral Sir Hugo White heads the Trust. He said: 'We are delighted that Mike has decided to join us.
'His recruitment is an important step in a restructuring of The Garden House which has been taking place this winter, with the aim of improving the way we run the business and improving the quality we offer to our visitors.'
Admiral White said this work includes redesigning the entrance way, improvements to the plant sales area and new work in the gardens.
'We know Mike's talents and experience will be of great benefit to us as we prepare for a very important new open season starting on March 1,' he added.
Mr Leece said: 'I was delighted to be asked to join the trustees at The Garden House because it is one of the best gardens in Britain.
'It is just the sort of high quality visitor attraction we in the West Country are so good at offering, and in horticultural terms it is genuinely pioneering.