A GARDENER has built a ‘stairway to heaven’ made of flowers to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Eddie Hayes, 74, will be selling plants and flower pots from the stairway structure in the front garden of his home in Gibbs Road, Beechwood, Newport.

For the last two years, Mr Hayes has sold plants from his flower tower, raising around £1,000 the first year and £2,000 last year.

But last year he was made to take down the flower tower, as Newport City Council told him he would need to apply for planning permission.

However Mr Hayes said he will not need planning permission this year as the new structure is smaller in size.

He said the council had advised him last year of the requirements.

This year’s flower spectacular is around 11ft in diameter and 15ft high and is made up of two separate stairways of flowers.

With the structure made of steel from last year’s project, Mr Hayes describes it as a “stairway to heaven.”

After undergoing a triple-heart bypass, Mr Hayes was able to make a swift recovery thanks to doctors and support from the British Heart Foundation. This came after he had another heart attack some years previously.

“After the triple bypass I only had to have a week off before I was fit and well and able to return to work,” said Mr Hayes.

“I wanted to thank the people who had helped me and to give something back.

“Gardening is my hobby and from then I decided I would do it to raise money for charity.”

The gates to the flower tower will be open all summer, until all the plants sell out.

There are around 100 baskets and 200 flower pots for sale, as well as all of the flowers on the stairway to heaven itself.

British Heart Foundation funds thousands of research projects across the UK fighting heart disease. The charity helps ensure care and support for those living with cardiovascular disease.

Anybody who wants to buy plants or flowers can come to the home in Gibbs Road. To arrange a visit to buy plants call Mr Hayes on 07505684218.