It's why he and his wife Clare (35), who have lived in Harborough for nearly two years, have entered the Worst Garden category in our awards.

They are now left with clearing the site themselves in order for their children, eight-year-old Holly and Thomas (5), to play safely and enjoy the outdoor space.

At the moment the children have a small corner of the garden to play in where they have their wooden climbing frame and there is also a small area which is under control where the couple are growing vegetables as they both enjoy gardening.

Apart from this there is lots of rubble and rubbish to shift.

Simon (37) said that he would love to win the award on behalf of Clare, who has followed him around the country during his military career, without complaint, during their 12 years of marriage.

Simon commutes to London daily and doesn't have time in the evenings to tackle the garden and the couple spend the weekends doing what they can.

Clare works part-time at Moulton College, Northampton, as a lecturer in animal care as well as looking after the children when they get home from Harborough C of E School, so doesn't have a lot of time on her hands to tackle what she calls 'a disaster area'.

Clare said they moved to Harborough because her sister lives here and she wanted to be near her family.

Simon said he entered the garden awards because he feels Clare deserves a small area of tranquillity to call her own and they would love to win the prize to give them the push they need to knock the garden back into shape.

He is keeping his fingers crossed for the judges' decision!