A PRESTIGIOUS runner-up award has been accepted by Jim Lowther in this year’s European Garden Award on behalf of Lowther Castle & Gardens

Presented at Schloss Dyck, near Juchen in Germany, the award was made under the category “Management or Development of a Historic Park or Garden”.

Competition was stiff, with the first prize going to the park and gardens of Rundāle Palace in Latvia, otherwise known as “Versailles of the Baltic States”.

In existence since 2010, the European Garden Award has honoured 102 prize winners from 16 countries since its inception.

After accepting the prize, Jim said: “It was an amazing experience to travel to Schloss Dyck and to meet the owners of such splendid venues.

"Of course, this prize is a huge tribute to the gardening team at Lowther - led by Martin Ogle and Nathalie Gargett and steered to greatness by Dan Pearson and his wonderful studio of designers.

“It is heartening to see how the gardens of Europe are flourishing" He thanked the judges and team at the European Garden Heritage Network.

Jim added: "At Lowther, we continue to invest in the gardens and are looking forward to unveiling more layers of design in coming months.”