The HTA is to run its popular National Garden Gift Voucher children’s Design a Christmas Card competition for the fourth consecutive year.

The competition, for children under 13, aims to unite garden centres with their local community and encourage families to visit stores in the run-up to Christmas.

NGGV marketing manager Tony Stacey said last year’s competition attracted arouind 10,000 entries and generated extensive press coverage for participating HTA members. “We also found garden centres using the competition to forge really strong commercial links with local schools, Guide and Beaver groups, and other children social clubs,” he said.

The free competition marketing pack consists of entry forms, counter top entry form holders, posters and a 2m high ‘pop-up’ entry post box. Special school entry packs contain everything a school (or other community group) requires to participate.

The competition starts on the 10 August and the closing date is 18 October.

Packs can be ordered at www.htamembers.co.uk or call 0118 930 2092.

The winning entry will receive £150 of garden goodies and the design printed will be printed on a National Garden Gift Voucher Christmas card

Seven regional winners in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Northern England, Midlands, South East and South West will each receive a £50 National Garden Gift Voucher.