A FORMER senior police officer has swapped villains for violets in his latest role as manager of a charity garden project.

Mike I’Anson spent more than 25 years with North Yorkshire Police, reaching the rank of inspector, before leaving in 2000.

After retraining as a professional gardener, the 54-yearold, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, recently landed his dream job managing the walled garden, in Helmsley.

Mr I’Anson has joined the garden, a charity that provides therapy for people with physical, emotional, psychological and social problems, having spent the past five years tending the five-acre Victorian garden at Cowesby Hall, near Thirsk. He said: “It really is a pleasure to come to work each morning.”

The garden is open daily, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, between April and October. Visit helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk or call 01439-771427