Tilda Swinton joins battle to save garden centre near Forres

SHE'S an Oscar-winning actress and a Hollywood star, but she's not scared of getting her hands dirty.

Keen gardener Tilda Swinton has joined the battle to save her favourite garden centre from being closed down by a new flood relief construction scheme.

Swinton, who lives in a country house near Nairn, in Morayshire, when she is not abroad working on major film projects, loves to spend her time off tending her large garden and vegetables.

She gets her supplies from Mackenzie and Cruickshank, a 129-year-old business which runs a garden centre and cafe on the outskirts of nearby Forres.

But the future of the centre, on the banks of the River Findhorn, is now threatened by a 40 million flood alleviation scheme for the town.

Its owner, Peter Wilson, claims the plan will damage his business by re-routing customers away and lead to the permanent loss of ground from its outdoor sales area.

Now Swinton has broken off from filming to send a statement of support to the staff as they prepare to fight their case at a public inquiry next month.

A council spokesman commented: "We are content to leave the reporter to consider all the issues, including those raised by Mr Wilson."