HE has helped to ensure top sporting events ran smoothly and worked to "green" parts of Europe and the Middle East.

Now Derek Edwards, one of the most respected personalities in UK turf production, has retired from the company near York he founded more than 20 years ago.

Mr Edwards, of Inturf, who started his career in horticulture 40 years ago, plans "a little consultancy and a lot of relaxation" in full retirement.

The 60-year-old actually handed over the reins to his twin sons, Alex and Stephen Edwards, in 2003, and has since jokingly regarded himself as being "on gardening leave" - but he was never far away from the decision making.

He said: "I've been very fortunate to have some fascinating jobs in many different aspects of horticulture.

"I started as a glass house manager growing cut flowers, moved to PBI to develop and test new chemicals, worked in sports turf irrigation throughout the world before finally moving into turf grass production and establishing Inturf in 1985.

"It's a great industry full of great characters, and I feel privileged to have been able to make a career in it."

Over the years, the East Yorkshire company has developed a reputation for innovation in the production, distribution and installation of its turfgrass products.

"We introduced custom growing, rootzone turf, big roll turf, fibre reinforced turf, lay 'n' play turf tiles, and brought modular moveable turf to the UK," he said. "We took the lead in establishing the Turfgrass Growers Association to help drive standards in the industry up - and I am proud to have been its first chairman."

In the early years of the business its focus was almost entirely on sports turf with long term relationships with just about every Premiership football club, the FA itself for Wembley, Lord's cricket ground, The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and most of the UK's leading golf courses. The company's activities have also extended overseas with contracts throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, May 08, 2006