Everything you can see in her front garden, in Drummond Crescent, South Shields, has been recycled or rescued from the rubbish tip.

That's why her family have entered her and husband Bill in the Gazette's Glorious Gardens competition.

Although Mrs Wilson, 56, takes credit for maintaining the recycled front garden, it's her husband who put in the groundwork.

Mr Wilson, 60, a professional abseiler, said: "We bought the house four years ago and it was a bit of a tip.

"Since I work off-shore, I had a bit of time to work on it when I got home off a trip.

"So we cut down the trees and I decided to buy only recycled materials to do it up.

"We're doing the same with the back garden now.

"It's not just environmentally friendly, but it's also easy on the
wallet, and it's great for the plants."

The Wilsons are a familiar face at the Recycling Village at Middlefields, Tyne Dock, where they buy all their garden decorations and equipment.

Mrs Wilson, a care worker at Dene View nursing home in John Williamson Street, South Shields, said: "I must admit it's Bill who does most of the work, but I help out when I can.

"He's good at it, so I just leave it to him."

The couple also get a helping hand from their three children and four grandchildren.

Mr Wilson joked: "I think they're just helping out so once the work's finished, they can buy the house off us!"