A STALWART of Lullingstone Castle and key player in the creation of the World Garden has died.

Mary Hart Dyke, 95, found TV fame late in life following the exploits of her grandson, celebrity gardener Tom Hart Dyke.

In a tribute to the woman he described as "his best friend", Tom said: "I think the biggest thing I'll remember her for was when she came to the castle in 1980. She was such an inspiration in the garden.

"She really got the whole place up and running with two east-facing borders and a one-acre herb garden. She was absolutely amazing."

Tom hit the headlines in 2000 when he was kidnapped in Colombia while looking for orchids.

He later starred in his own TV programme called Save Lullingstone Castle.

Mary, who fondly became known to the nation as "Granny", was one of the show's regular characters.

Tom said she was the reason he became interested in gardening aged three.

"In 1979 she gave me a packet of carrot seeds and a trowel," he said.

"I sowed the seeds, up they came and the rest is horticultural history."

Mary Hart Dyke's funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Monday at St Botolph's Church, Lullingstone Castle.

Family flowers only. Donations to Mission to Seafarers, care of funeral directors Welham Jones, 156 London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1DJ. Telephone 01732 742400.

See next week's Chronicle for full obituary.