It's official - Little Jake's a real Gem in the potting shed at the age of five.

WHILE other youngsters are playing computer games or watching television, green-fingered Jake Cook is busy getting his hands dirty in the garden.

The five-year-old, who lives in Gale Lane, Acomb, York, is so handy in the garden that he even does the weeding for his mum, Tina Woof.

For his last birthday Jake asked for his own greenhouse, where he now grows a selection of plants from seeds, including sunflowers, tomatoes and strawberries.

Now Jake has been named as a regional Little Gem in a competition launched by biscuit manufacturer Jacob's.

The competition, run in association with Iced Gems, was launched earlier this year to find "ordinary but extraordinary" children aged between three and 11 who have excelled in some way, whether in their academic life, in sport, in music, in their hobby or in their community.

Jake is one of six regional winners who could go on to win the top prize of a family holiday and the title of Little Gem UK at a special ceremony in London during half-term next week.

He was presented with the regional title at Jorvik in York this week.

A spokeswoman for Jacob's said: "The judges felt that Jake really was a little gem. At only five years old Jake is an avid gardener with a heart of gold.

"Jake has taken time to develop and nurture his love for gardening, turning it into a real hobby, something rare in children these days. He has a real passion for something worth doing."

Updated: 10:00 Thursday, October 21, 2004