A gold medallist from the Chelsea Flower show is to create a new garden at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Tom Stuart-Smith's garden, the first to be made at the castle in almost 200 years, will transform the visitor entrance and feature a bandstand for public concerts throughout the year.

It is due to be completed in late June and will extend from the main gates to St George's Gate on Castle Hill, where visitors enter the castle precincts.

The informal garden takes its inspiration from Windsor's historic parkland landscape and the picturesque character of the castle, the Queen's favourite residence and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.

'Contemporary design'

The bandstand will be at the heart of the garden and will be the setting for regular musical performances by the Bands of the Household Division.

Made out of a variety of English stone, it will have a patinated-bronze Garter Star at its centre bearing a dedicatory inscription to the Queen, Sovereign of the Order of the Garter, on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee.

Mr Stuart-Smith said: "It is enormously exciting to be able to contribute to one of the most important historic landscapes in Britain.

"The garden is a contemporary design, but draws much of its inspiration from the picturesque character of the parks at Windsor."

The project is being overseen by the Royal Collection.

Director Sir Hugh Roberts praised Mr Stuart-Smith's design.

He said: "It is a skilful and sympathetic response to its historic setting, capturing the essence of the castle's romanticism and of Windsor's famous landscape.

"The new garden will greatly enhance a visit to the castle and is a fitting celebration of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee."