A boy from Dumbarton has been recognised for his horticultural talents after winning a UK gardening contest.

Cameron Russell, who attends Dumbarton Academy, came out on top in the 14 to 16 year old category of the Royal Horticultural Society's Young Gardener of the Year competition, after he was nominated for the regular contribution he makes to his school garden.

Along with just one other Scottish finalist, Cameron travelled with his family to the garden at RHS Wisely, where he was picked as the winner, garnering praise for a video he made with teachers, friends and classmates showing off his green fingers.

For his prize, Cameron personally received a framed certificate and an engraved trowel from TV personality, and presenter of ITV gardening show 'Love Your Garden', Frances Tophill.

Cameron's mum, Mhairi, told the Reporter that her son had begun showing a love and skill for all things gardening from an early age.

She said: "I think it started from spending time helping his grandfather with his garden, which turned into him wanting to grow vegetables in our own garden.

"He decided he wanted to volunteer at school and, with the encouragement of his geography teacher Ms Harvey, he began doing it.

"Initially, the other boys in his class gave him stick for it, they were kind of on one side of the fence and he was on the other, but eventually he won them over, and now they help him out."

Cameron's endeavours in the school garden had already helped the school out before winning the competition, as his efforts contributed to the awarding of a £2000 grant for a polytunnel.

With his title of Young Gardener of the Year, he was also rewarded with a glasshouse, tools and gardening vouchers for Dumbarton Academy.

Mhairi added: "Cameron even collaborated with the technology department at school to build benches for the polytunnel they have, and so now different classes, from art to life sciences and biology, can be taught outside.

"He's really had a big impact on that part of the school curriculum."

Mhairi also explained how much of an honour it was to be able to go down RHS Wisely, in Surrey, south of London.

"It was an amazing experience for all of us, and they treated the children and families really well, even giving us a tour of the gardens."

Now, Cameron is looking to make what was originally a hobby into something more sustainable.

"He's started a business, cutting grass and tidying up gardens in the local area," Mhairi said.

"Someone in Milngavie even asked for him to come down and sort their garden out - we had to draw the line there for the moment.

"He's really interested in hard landscaping, and that's something else altogether, so I can see when he leaves school that might be something he'll want to pursue.

"It's certainly something a bit different for a teenage boy to be doing, and a lot better than sitting on the Playstation."