A PLANT nursery sited on what was the original kitchen garden of the now demolished Gledstone House at West Marton is under new ownership following the retirement of previous owners Peter and Mandy Leighton.

Gledstone Gardens has been taken over by the Keyworth family, Bev and Paul; and their children, 15-year old Lars, and 12-year old Max. Completing the family line up is Lemmy the dog, helping to make the plant nursery dog friendly.

Joining the team is nursery manager, Gavin, who started at Gledstone Gardens as an apprentice 14 years ago, learning the trade from plantsman Peter Leighton, and putting all his training to good use in continuing his high standards of plant quality.

Bev and Paul said: "The new team will continue to offer the same services, selling bedding, perennials, roses, trees, both ornamental and fruit, shrubs and hedging.

"There is also hanging baskets and tubs for all seasons are for sale, as well as a bespoke refilling service that customers and local businesses, pubs and hotels relish. We will also still be selling Christmas trees too. And watch this space for future developments."

Until Christmas, the Keyworths ran Gargrave-based Keyworth Garden Services for 11 years.

Bev and Paul added: "While it was thriving, we made the progression to running a plant nursery. We have met the current regular customers at Gledstone Gardens, welcomed some old friends from Keyworth Garden Services and met some new folk - and their dogs, as Gledstone Gardens is now dog friendly - who have come and taken a look around our peaceful hillside nursery."

Gledstone Nursery is situated off the A59 at West Marton on the road from West Marton to Gargrave.

The old Gledstone House was demolished in 1928, leaving only the walled kitchen gardens and the courtyard stables. Its then owner Sir Amos Nelson, commissioned Edwin Lutyens to build Gledstone Hall - a grade two listed mansion.