Haskins have acknowledged 30 years service of staff member Colin Brickell, who rose from being a plantman with the company to a buyer in charge of a £3.5m budget.

Colin was interviewed by chairman Warren Haskins for a job at the original Haskins at Tricketts Cross, Ferndown. He had already trained in horticulture with Bournemouth parks department.

He went on to become a crucial member of the buying team, based at head office in Longham, and took on the role of group plant buyer.

Warren Haskins and chief executive Julian Winfield held a lunch in his honour and he was presented with £300 in gift vouchers.

"When Colin joined the company it employed less than 50 people," said Warren Haskins. “We now have a payroll of 550 people.

'In that time we have relocated the Ferndown centre to the current site at Longham, and expanded to own four prime garden centres in southern England. We thank Colin for his long and loyal service.”