A KEEN gardener says he is as pleased as Punch to have nurtured a rare orchid at his Chideock home.

Tony Fuller, 75, picked out the blue Vanda orchid in Holland where he was visiting friends three years ago.

He said: "There were 10 acres full of orchids and it was the only blue one I saw. It has just re-flowered for the first time in three years.

"It is an "air orchid" - it grows without soil and all I do is fill the jar with water and then drain it out half an hour later. I like orchids very much and want to get one of the scented orchids."

After Mr Fuller got the orchid back the flower died and it was not until 18 months ago he saw some tiny shoots appearing.

"I nurtured it and gave it some feed and water and now it has flowered again."

Many Vanda orchids are endangered, because of habitat destruction.