Festive displays at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford have been named the best in the North East of England by the GCA for the fifth time.

The garden centre was judged on the range, merchandising, marketing, presentation and displays of Christmas lines including trees, decorations, tableware, candles, giftware and food during the GCA's recent inspection for its annual Christmas competition.

Winners are selected for their ability to demonstrate a real ‘wow factor' by highlighting their product range with innovative and inspirational displays that create excitement and a festive ambience. The judges singled out the centre's ‘strong entrance display' for special commendation.

Tong's Commercial Director Sharon McNair said: "Congratulations to everyone - it's a great result and very well deserved. Christmas at Tong really is a massive team effort and every department within the centre has contributed to this amazing result.

"Winning this award for the fifth time is testament to the team's skill and ongoing commitment to giving our customers one of the most memorable Christmas experiences in Yorkshire."

Iain Wylie, GCA chief executive, said: "Last year we were unable to hold such a competition with travel restrictions and various lockdowns in place, so this year was a particularly exciting occasion to return to our annual and much-loved competition of Christmas displays.

"This year experts' anticipated early sales and a festive boom, so our member garden centres have gone all-out to impress their customers, and the judges, with imaginative and seasonal displays, making it a real challenge to choose the overall winners this year."