A number of prestigious awards were presented at the GCA conference at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon yesterday (Monday).

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: "It is clear that all of our winners have worked extremely hard during the past year to reach and maintain the very highest of standards in garden centre retail excellence and I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of them. Our inspectors were extremely impressed with their achievements."

Most Improved Garden Centre (Dick Allen Award)

Webbs West Hagley

Commercial Innovation and Creativity (The Barton Grange Trophy)

Winner: Bents Garden & Home

Environment and Community Award

Stewarts Christchurch

Customer Service Award

Barton Grange

The ifse Award for Catering Excellence

Webbs of Wychbold (DGC), Fron Goch (GC)

Indoor Lifestyle Award

Barton Grange (DGC), Stratford Garden Centre (GC)

Best Garden Products Retailer (GIMA Award)

Barton Grange (DGC), Fairways Garden Centre (GC)

Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Weber)

Gordale Nurseries (DGC), Stratford Garden Centre (GC)