A LEGEND for his prowess in growing among the biggest of gooseberries, Noel Street died this week only weeks before the start of the show season.

Noel, who was in his early 80s and lived in Over Peover, began raising competitive berries when he was only 17, and went on to be among the top champions at the Over Peover show.

Sadly, last year after a two-month stay in hospital with pneumonia Noel was not well enough to devote the time to his prize-winning crop before the annual show at The Dog Inn.

But he was determined to attend the show and went home with a trophy - a plaque awarded by fellow competitors in recognition of his prowess as a grower for 65 years.

The plaque was appropriately decorated with three large gooseberries, and Noel was delighted with the award and was looking forward to attending the show again this year.

His daughter Ruth Bass, who has received many messages of condolence and sympathy following her father's death, said last year after the presentation: "He attended the show but couldn't exhibit.

“He was bitterly disappointed as he always produced good berries but he said ‘never mind there's always next year’.”