The world’s best-selling horticultural author has announced he is planning to put down his pen after a career spanning more than half a century.

David Hessayon, 85, who lives in the Halstead area, has announced he is planning to retire next year after writing more than 20 books in 54 years.

Nicknamed The Doc, his expert series of gardening books have sold over 53 million copies world wide and can still be found on the shelves of many homes.

He made the announcement at the Garden Media Guild Awards in London but has stressed it is nothing to do with the advent of people turning to the internet for gardening advice, as was reported in some national newspapers.

He said: “I pointed out that I was now 85 and that the time was coming when I would have to put down my pen, and that will be next year.

“The first book came out 54-years-ago, it was the first of the David Hessayon expert series, most people weren’t born then.”