MY dear old mum always taught me that "cheats never prosper". But, when you're as competitive as me, it's hard to resist...

As I mentioned in my previous column, I was intrigued during a visit to Ingleby Arncliffe Women's Institute, near Northallerton, to discover that WI members nationwide are engaged in a competition to make the best hanging basket out of a bra. Whoever produces the best "brasket" stands to win £100 of gardening vouchers.

It was too good an opportunity to miss for the Headline Challenge I play every week day on BBC Tees. I come up with a story with a (hopefully) funny headline and the radio station's listeners have to try to beat me. For the hanging basket bras, my headline was "Booby prize". Unbelievably, it was beaten by "The Hanging Gardens of Boobylon."

What I didn't expect was to be challenged live on air by breakfaster show co-presenter Neil Green to private contest: "You make one, I'll make one and may the best man win," he declared. At least I think he said best man.

Like I said, I'm very competitive but this particular challenge was more daunting than most. I'm not very good at making flowers look nice in the garden, never mind in a bra.

"Do you think I could borrow one of your bras?" I asked my wife when she got home from work.

"Why?" she asked.

"I need to make a hanging basket," I replied.

Eventually, she consented to rummaging in her underwear draw and presenting me with a couple of options – and this is where I need to be especially careful. Let's just say they didn't give me a lot of scope for an expansive display.

Filled with the fear that my radio opponent would be visiting Primark to scour the lingerie department for a 42DD, I had no option but to seek the help of Liz, my next door. It's not the easiest conversation I've ever had over the garden fence but I explained my dilemma in the secret hope that she'd offer me one of her bras. Instead, she planted a much better idea.

"Why don't you ask Nattrass to make you one?" she suggested.

Flowers By Nattrass, a long-established family firm, are based in our home village of Hurworth-on-Tees in Hurworth and they really know what they're doing with floral displays.

It was a brilliant plan and, once I'd put it to the experts at Nattrass, they were only too pleased to help.

The result can be seen above in all its glory. Katie Bennnett, wedding consultant and manager, nipped off to Primark, bought six bras, sewed them together and created a beautiful display combining peace lily, jasmine, hydrangeas, lavender, and succulent. The BBC's pathetic effort never stood a chance, and the station's breakfast show host was Green with envy.

I'm open to offers for my spectacular hanging brasket and the highest bid will be donated to a breast cancer charity. I think it's a case of bravo all round.

IT was a joy to be invited to visit the Daisy Chain project at Stockton-on-Tees last week.

Daisy Chain is a wonderful charity, providing invaluable support for families affected by autism.

Entirely funded by donations, it is a magical place, featuring play areas, therapy rooms and its own mini zoo.

The next key project is to erect fencing between the outdoor play area and the car park and I was pleased to hear that the labour is being provided by offenders from Kirklevington Prison. Around £4,000 is needed to buy the wood and, if anyone can help, please contact tireless Daisy Chain fundraiser Pat Chambers at pat@daisychainproject.co.uk.

Daisy Chain is staging its annual open day between 12 and 4pm on May 2 and it is well worth a visit. You'll even get the chance to milk a life-sized artificial cow, naturally called Daisy. Surely, it's irresistible.

ON the subject of autism, I'll be hosting a very special awards evening at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Thursday evening.

It is the first time the North-East Autism Society has staged the event and it's an honour to be involved. See next week's column for the highlights.

IT was a pleasure last week to meet Nick Richmond, who is retiring after spending more than 30 years as a Sir Sean Connery lookalike.

It was National Lookalike Day last Wednesday and writing a feature on Nick's life as a 007 double seemed to fit the bill.

An enjoyable few hours were spent at Nick's bungalow at Woodham, County Durham, and photographer Tom Banks was looking for props.

"I don't suppose you've got a Martini glass?" he asked.

Nick glared at him, Connery style, and said: "Don't be silly. Of course I have a Martini glass – I'm James Bond for God's sake."

I'm not sure Nick Richmond is every going to quite escape from his double life.

FINALLY, two larger than average gnomes were among my leaving presents when I stepped down from the editor's chair earlier this month.

They were christened Jim and Tonic and were given pride of place in the front garden.

I'm sad to report that the next door neighbour's grandchildren were playing football one day last week and a misplaced shot has robbed Jim of his left ear.

Mysteriously, while no one was around, an emergency operation was carried out to restore the ear. It may have been the work of the National Elf Service.