A HOMEGROWN horticulturist from Colchester who found fame sharing his green-fingered tips on a long-running children’s television show is set to perform in his home city.

Lee Connelly, better known as The Skinny Jean Gardener from CBBC’s Blue Peter, is bringing his The Biggest Gardening Entertainment Show to the Mercury Theatre.

Known for his work most with BBC Teach, Lee has already toured the show at the likes of Camp Bestival, RHS Hampton Court and the Eden Project.

Throughout the event, the local lad will talk about children’s gardening education, lead gameshow-style games and take guests on an entertaining journey.

He said: “I'm so excited to be bringing this unique show to the stage in Colchester this summer.

“Over the past ten years of I've brought together the best show I've ever written to educate children on gardening - there really is nothing like this in the world.

“The kids love it and learn along the way, and there's plenty of laughs for the grownups too.”

The staging of the show coincides with The Colchester Gardening Festival, a month-long event including installations, events, and workshops in the city centre.

Tickets for The Skinny Jean Gardener’s July 31 performance start at £6 and all children will be given a free gardening goody bag.

To find out more visit skinnyjeangardener.co.uk/tickets or mercurytheatre.co.uk.