Pictured above: Charles Marsh and Sinead Butters

A green-fingered pensioner and 99 delighted neighbours have extra reason to celebrate their landlord's tenth anniversary.

Charles Marsh, aged 86, has received the garden makeover of his dreams as Aspire Housing marks the occasion - and he is not alone.

The organisation is revamping the gardens of its 100 eldest residents to mark its 10th anniversary year.

The project is being organised by Aspire Housing and supported by other group members: PM Training, a social enterprise that tackles worklessness among young people, and funded by the Realise Foundation, an inspirational charity that benefits the people and communities of North Staffordshire.

"I've lived in my home for over 40 years," said Charles, of Clayton Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

"Gardening has always been a favourite pastime but getting older it has become increasingly difficult, especially with my health deteriorating."

Charles, who worked at Newcastle-Under-Lyme's highways department as a maintenance technician before retiring, was thrilled when Aspire Housing stepped in to help.

Teenage apprentices from PM Training completed the garden overhaul as part of a celebratory project funded by the recently launched Realise Foundation.

"The lads were great, they worked extremely hard and I am delighted with the results," said Charles.

"It wasn't an easy job - there was so much soil to get through and lots of roots. It had reached the point where I was unable to maintain it."

He added: "This makeover has really made my dreams come true, my garden looks great and it's no effort to keep on top of it at all. So many people have complimented me - everyone thinks it looks great."

More than a hundred elderly Aspire residents will benefit from the programme with work due to be completed before the end of the year. They will also receive an impressive piece of art designed and created by PM Training apprentices.

The project is part of Aspire Housing's commitment to provide a wide range of quality services to customers and to improve neighbourhoods.

Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of the Aspire Group said: "I am delighted to mark our 10th anniversary with this fantastic project, delivered by PM Training and funded by our new charity, the Realise Foundation. 

"Upgrading the gardens of 100 of our oldest customers is a clear demonstration of our commitment to improve people's lives.

"We look forward to maximising the potential of all our group members in delivering valued services to our customers in future years."

The Aspire Group provides more than 20,000 customers with quality affordable homes and services across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. It launched the Realise Foundation as part of Aspire Housing's 10th anniversary celebrations.