Gardener and broadcaster Smith dies

Geoffrey Smith, who appeared on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time for two decades, has died at the age of 80.

The broadcaster and writer was one of the programme's longest-serving and best-loved panellists, having joined the team in 1983. Smith also created one of the great gardens of northern England, Harrogate's Harlow Carr.

Audiences were attracted by his belief that all plants have their own personalities and need "as much pampering as women".

Smith also helmed his own BBC TV series Geoffrey Smith's World of Flowers, as well as presenting Gardeners' World.

Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer praised his "wonderful blend of erudition, wit and warmth", while Trevor Taylor, executive producer of Gardeners' Question Time added that he was "a giant of horticultural broadcasting" and would be "sadly missed".