HOT on the heels of their success at two prestigious shows, college students and staff have begun work to recreate an award-winning garden back on their home turf.

The garden, with an archaeological-design concept, gained a Silver Medal at the recent Hampton Court Flower Show organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. It was also a big attraction at the Great Yorkshire Show, in Harrogate, last week.

Now, The Archaeologist's Urban Retreat has been dismantled and work is under way to recreate it at Askham Bryan College, near York.

The garden was created by Sarah Lloyd, from Saltburn, as part of the college's garden design course.

She said: "The concept is based on stone-built cairns and ancient burial mounds remaining in modern ploughed fields, which have been mapped and excavated by archaeologists."

It was the first year the college had entered a garden at Hampton Court and principal, Professor Gareth Rees, said everyone was thrilled with the award.

"Our budget was a fraction of what many others spent which made the award even more special," he said. "Horticulture is a particular strength of ours - a lot of hard work went into the project, so it's entirely appropriate that we should have a permanent reminder here at the college."

The garden is rich in rustic colours of ochre, yellow and orange to reflect the rural landscape and contains numerous shrubs, plants and grasses.

Ms Lloyd said: "The idea was to create a garden to relax in, away from the world. I am absolutely thrilled that it will be recreated at the college."