A DEDICATED National Trust worker who helped transform Coughton Court is set to retire after 33 years of service.

Mark Watkins, area ranger, will retire at the end of April after joining the National Trust in 1985.

Mark first started work as a single handed craftsman, looking after the gardens of the fifteenth century estate Baddesley Clinton.

He later became gardener in charge, then park and gardens manager and finally area ranger, responsible for National Trust sites Packwood House, Coughton Court and Baddesley Clinton.

Mark was responsible for building the Treason Trail at Coughton - all about the Gunpowder plot to kill king and Parliament which see's Alcester's Coughton Court central to the story.

He was also responsible for developing a partnership with Natural England who, in 2010, bought land which doubled the estate surrounding Baddesley and opened up new walking routes.

Stephen Spinks, General Manager, said: "In the years since 1985 Mark has overseen many changes in the gardens at Baddesley and the wider parkland at Coughton and Packwood.

"All the teams wish Mark every success for the future and want to thank him for all the years of dedication and care that he has put into the gardens and parkland of these beautiful properties."