A GOLDEN anniversary is being celebrated by a York gardener, who has spent half-a-century tending the green spaces of a city suburb.

Supervisor gardener Vic Atkins is now retiring after spending 50 years working with the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust at New Earswick.

He has planted well over a hundred trees in five decades, and has now planted one last tree to commemorate his long service at The Garth on White Rose Avenue.

Vic began working for the Trust aged just 15 back in 1953. He has worked hard to keep the village trim, while also working at the trust's Homestead in York and, on a winter's day, clearing the snow and paths in the village.

His wife, Margaret, who is also a veteran of 23 years with the trust, will also be retiring.

Almost 200 friends and colleagues joined the pair for a retirement party in New Earswick at the weekend.

Lord Best, director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which administers the trust, said: "We celebrate Vic Atkins working for us for a full half-century.

"His work, in creating green and pleasant environments, has made life better for thousands of people.

"Vic and Margaret have also been perfect neighbours, generating a sense of community which makes New Earswick special."

Updated: 08:46 Wednesday, December 10, 2003