Ravelin Park is used for a number of events including Freshers Fayre - Photo by Luke Simmonds

Ravelin Park, in which the students union sits, has received glowing praise by judges in the South and South East in Bloom competition.

The park has undergone a complete transformation from waste-ground to stunning green space under the guidance of Tony Davis, head of campus environment at the University of Portsmouth, and his efforts were rewarded with three prizes in the regional competition this week.

Once undergrowth and weeds hid both tramps who lived in the park and the historic Ravelin House, now home to criminology students, used by General Montgomery during World War II.

But after six years of hard work judges said the park was now a "great credit to Tony Davis who has managed to get the park to its excellent state through obtaining funding and working with English Landscape".

The park's latest awards are 'outstanding' in the 'neighbourhoods with over 1,000 people' section and two discretionary prizes.

The Community Action Award for the involvement of nearly 1,000 local school children in the nature trail and other community and university activities; and the Waterwise Award for the sedum roof on the library and using grey water to supply the library toilets.

Sections of the park are used by the Union to host various events inclduing the 2008 Graduation ball, The Societies Carnival and The Freshers Fayre.

At these events the park has been host to live bands, performances from dancers, a mechanical bucking camel and a multitude of other oddities.

The space is not just used by students however, during the summer The New Theatre Royal and the university arranged theatrical performances open to the general public.

Mr Davis said: 'Five years ago the area was completely overgrown and closed off to the community. I am delighted at the transformation and it is a joy to have helped bring the park back to life.

"The judges praised the fact Ravelin Park is in the city centre and open to all and used by so many people.

It is wonderful to see the park's restoration recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society."