A PENRITH gardener who has created a magical outdoor space centred around a tree house has been recognised in a national competition.

Cathy Harrison was crowned runner-up in BBC Gardeners' World Magazine's Garden of the Year Awards, which celebrated the best private gardens in the UK.

Her garden, which was ranked among the top three Best Family Plots, will feature in the magazine's November edition along with the other winners and runners up.

Cathy, 35, said she was "surprised" to have her garden ranked so highly and that she hasn't always been a hands on gardener. But when she and her husband Giles moved to their home near Penrith two years ago they inherited a large outdoor space, with lots of different areas - including a 100-year-old Japanese garden, with stones, steps and pathways.

"We were lucky to take on such a lovely garden and it had been really well looked after," said Cathy. "We wanted to make it more family orientated."

Giles, 34, designed and built the tree house between two weeping willow trees for their children, Charlotte, six, and four-year-old Sam. The impressive structure has a slide and split layers inside with different seating areas.

"It was in really good order and we just wanted to maintain it. There was no choice other than to start learning, so we've learnt a lot over the past couple of years. We did have a reasonable garden in our old house but it was very low maintenance whereas this needs a lot more attention. Although, again, because it was in such good order we can concentrate on adding bits to it," said Cathy.

Also central to the garden, and its impact on the judges, was the fruit and veg plot. The Harrison's grow a lot of fruit in the garden and its something all the family enjoy. They also have a chicken run.

Cathy entered the competition after he friend bought her the magazine, initially not entering, she said, because she didn't think she would stand a chance. But when the entry deadline was extended she thought she would give it a go.

Gardeners' World, which is read by around 200,000 people every month, launched the competition in March this year to mark its 25th year in circulation.

More than 200 entries across three catergories - Best Family Plot, Best Wildlife Garden and Best Small Space Garden were judged by a panel of experts including RHS gold-medal winning designer, Adam Frost; RSPB’s gardening expert Adrian Thomas and gardening writer and broadcaster, Martin Fish.

Lucy Hall, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editor, who was also on the judging panel said: “The creativity and range of styles revealed by the entries proves that we remain a nation of passionate gardeners and garden makers.”