Beat the credit crunch by investing in your garden

Yorkshire Bank has produced new research which reveals that UK homeowners believe their gardens are worth more than £9,000.

More than 41 per cent say they make the most of their gardens by using them every day.

Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank's head of retail, said: "Our research shows that Brits value their outdoor space - and are willing to pay for the satisfaction they get from having their very own green and pleasant land."

According to Yorkshire Bank, the value placed on a garden appears to mature over time, thus adding value to properties overall price-tag.

Even if your garden is small, it is easy to make it a welcoming and relaxing place by planting up pots and windowboxes.

Investing in your garden looks like a sure fire way to beat the slump in the housing market by adding value to your property...