A one-armed gardener defied his disability to dedicate over 25 years to improving Sutton's parks.

Alex Dipiazza, 65, lost his right arm just below the shoulder in a motorbike accident more than 20 years ago.

But not letting his injury defeat him, he continued to follow his love of gardening.

He retired on Saturday after a quarter of a century dedicated to Sutton's Park Service, during which he helped Oaks Park win a string of awards.

Carl Brown, chairman of the Friends of Oaks Park, said: "What Alex has done truly is inspiring. If you saw him work he really does better than an able-bodied man.

"The way he has adapted himself is very impressive."

Mr Dipiazza, a dad, is able to plant, prune and mow with just one arm, also using his hook to carry things.

Mr Brown said Mr Dipiazza, who started work for the parks service in 1975, simply wanted to be treated the same as anyone else, and refused to take plaudits for the way he has responded to his injury.

He said through his retirement the park had lost a master gardener, plants man, custodian and a friend.

At event in Oaks Park on Saturday to mark his retirement, Mr Dipiazza said: "I feel sad at leaving Oaks Park, but happy at retiring."

During his tenure, he helped Oak's Park achieve four Green Flag Awards, given to Britain's top greens paces and two Silver Gilt awards in the London in Bloom competition

Parks supervisor, Ian Hudson, said: "Alex will be greatly missed by everyone who uses the park, as well as his colleagues and managers.

"He has always been very helpful to park users and other members of staff, would go out of his way to answer any question asked and was always prepared to help where it was needed.

"Everybody who knows Alex would like to wish him a long and happy retirement."