The head gardener at a Norfolk attraction has moved on to a new job that is part of a major seafront restoration project on Great Yarmouth’s seafront.

On Friday Ian Guest, left his role as head gardener at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, to take up the new post of head gardener for the £1.7m project to restore the Venetian Waterways.

He worked at Fairhaven since January 2002 and became head gardener when George Debbage retired in January 2007.

Projects completed under his leadership include the Winter Garden in the Dell, the Hydrangea Walk, the Ice Hole Path, the expansion of the tearoom picnic area, the Willow Enclosure, raising and rebuilding candelabra primula beds, the bottom path on the Ranworth Walk and the boardwalk and ramp to the bird hide off the Kingfisher Walk.

He said: “I will miss the people I work with and the unique atmosphere in the garden. It is a lovely and serene place to be and offers different challenges throughout the year. But the Venetian Waterways was too good an opportunity for me.”

Louise Rout, Manager, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: “We wish Ian all the best for his new role in Great Yarmouth and thank him for all his hard work caring for the garden over the last 16 years and developing new features for our visitors.”