ROSS PARRY SYNDICATION: A green-fingered couple are rubbing shoulders with grand stately homes after creating a tropical paradise - in the tiny garden of their council house.

Linda and Mel Moran's gorgeous 'Little Eden' - which includes in its wide array of flora the most northerly example of a flowering banana plant in the world - has been accepted into prestigious National Gardens Yellow Book Scheme, usually reserved for well-known public gardens.

As part of the scheme the garden is opened to the public and visitors can admire the plants in the large housing estate for a small fee, which is donated to charity.

The couple have even received a private booking for their hidden oasis of unusual plants, which is festooned with climbers, colourful pots and hanging baskets.

The tiny 60-by-30 ft garden is swamped with more than 2,000 plants, including the exotic banana plant. The Royal Horticultural Society were shocked when the couple reported the plant was flowering in September, although the bananas it produced could not survive the harsh winter.