His Royal Highness Prince Edward paid a visit to some green-fingered residents to praise the way their garden grows.

The Earl of Wessex, eighth in line to the throne and patron of the London Garden Society, headed to Arlington Square, Islington, last week, because it represents a fine example of a community gardening project.

The square was transformed from a litter strewn wasteland by the Arlington Association and now boasts more that 30,000 bulbs, trees and shrubs.

Alison Rice, part of the Arlington Association, said: “It was surprisingly good fun and for all the people in the neighbourhood who worked so hard on the garden it was a kind of validation.

“The chairman Gordon McArthur and the team have done so well turning a problem square into a peaceful place that everybody enjoys.

“Republican or royalist people all enjoyed themselves.

“And we gave the prince a jar or rose petal jam that we make from the plants in the square.

“I am sure he is having some with his breakfast as we speak.”