Tributes paid to gardening champ Frank Brittan

A champion gardener who gave up his time to teach hundreds of primary school children to grow their own vegetables has died at the age of 87.

Frank Brittan died in hospital following a fall. Tributes have been paid to the great-grandfather, who started his garden at Newtown Primary in Great Bridge more than 20 years ago.

Over the years he invited classes of children to visit and learn gardening skills.

His daughter Jean Abraham, 61, said: "He saw that bit of land, and saw it was just going to waste, so asked the school if he could make it into a garden.

"He turned it into a wonderful garden where he grew anything and everything."

Mrs Abraham said Mr Brittan had always been a keen gardener and had won awards for his hangings baskets, lawns and gardens.

Not long after he started the garden at the school, he would invite the primary school children to see what he had grown, and teach them how to grow their own vegetables.

The retired toolmaker would garden despite being in pain due to an accident as a child which saw him lose a kneecap. Mrs Abraham said: "He would just battle on."

The garden also became a place where he spent time with his grandchildren Dawn and Derek, and great-grandchildren Courtney and Bryn.

Despite losing his wife Em three years ago, and a long-term illness, Mr Brittan carried on gardening with the help of his family.

Express & Star gardening writer Ken Tudor said: "Frank Brittan was one of the great characters of the Black Country gardening world."

Mr Brittan's funeral will be on December 19 at West Bromwich Crematorium, Newton Road, at 11.30am.