A celebrity gardener visited Castle Howard to see his former mentor.

When Alan Titchmarsh was a student at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, his guiding hand was John B E Simmons, the curator of the gardens at Kew from 1972 to 1995.

Now in semi-retirement, Mr Simmons leads the Arboretum Trust's small team of staff and volunteers who manage the arboretum and look after the collections of internationally important rare trees, including many endangered species, in Ray Wood, at Castle Howard. Members of the trust chatted with the television celebrity, had books signed and listened to one of his talks.

Mr Titchmarsh said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to see this young and priceless collection of rare and endangered species and to support an old friend and former mentor, John Simmons, in his dedication, effort and commitment to the arboretum."

Professor Ron Cooke, chairman of trustees, said: "It is a great pleasure to welcome Alan Titchmarsh, a Yorkshireman and long-standing friend of Kew to the arboretum. His visit will undoubtedly help to bring our wonderful garden of trees to a much wider audience."

The arboretum has been developed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Castle Howard.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, May 13, 2005