There was strong competition in The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team category with four garden centres picking up gold awards – Brookside (small centre), Ruxley Manor and Chessington (joint winners, large centre), and Bridgemere (group centre).

Alison Shead, of Brookside, said: "We put so much effort in our grotto, so to win this award is fabulous.

"We wanted Christmas in our store to be special for everyone, from children to our older customers, and everyone seems to have appreciated our efforts. It has been a really magic experience.

"Kids have been really happy in the grotto but we've also made great efforts to allow the elderly and special needs people access as well. And, of course, we had a marriage proposal in the grotto on Christmas Eve.

"Being a winner at these awards makes all the planning and hard work well worthwhile. But above all, we have helped lots of children and adults to be happy at Christmas...that's the most important thing."

Pictured below are: Brookside, Ruxley Manor and Chessington, and Bridgemere.







Gold winners: Brookside (small centre), Ruxley Manor and Chessington (joint winners, large centre), Bridgemere (group centre)

Silver winners: Chaplins and Hetland (joint winners, small centre category), Houghton Hall (large centre)

Judges' Special Awards: Gouldings and Snowdonia

Finalists: Baytree, Bridgemere, Brookside, Caerphilly, Chaplins, Chessington, Endsleigh Garden & Leisure, Gouldings, Hetland, Highfield, Houghton Hall, Ladygreen, Moulton College, Ruxley Manor, Silica Lodge, Snowdonia, Walkers, Wheatcroft, Whitehall Lacock, World’s End