A couple’s garden has been shortlisted for national garden award.

Mark Hacker and Maureen Keating’s garden in Ashurst Drive, Barkingside, is down to the last four of the Daily Mail National Garden Award.

Mr Hacker, 69, and partner Ms Keating, 67, hand-built the decorations in their garden, which includes a model village and railway, and a stream and waterfall.

The award, in its 23rd year, receives thousands of entries and the judges will be returning on August 13 to Ashurst Drive to decide whether it deserves the £2,000 prize.

Ms Keating said: “It was surprising because our garden is quite small, only 40 by 40 foot, and the prize usually goes to much larger gardens.

“Me and Mark just thought why not, and it would be lovely to win the award and great to receive recognition for our hobby."

Around 80 people took a £2.50 tour of their garden on July 27, to raise money for St Francis Hospice in Romford.

The couple will be opening their garden again this Sunday for the same cause between 2pm and 5pm.