Staff from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre are celebrating this week after winning a gold medal and ‘Best in Show’ for the third year running at the Taunton Flower Show – with special guest Toby Buckland in attendance.

The garden centre won for its memorial garden commemorating those who lost their lives during the First World War.

Andrew Pitman, Plant and Duty Manager at the family-run garden centre, said: “We’re absolutely delighted. The garden is a tribute to war heroes and features a memorial obelisk, donated by Redwood Stone, as well as traditional planting using hardy perennials, shrubs, bedding and David Austin roses.”

A ‘Peace’ rose giveaway was also featured. Visitors could put down the names of loved ones lost in conflict to receive one of 500 roses being given away. The names collected would then be added to a memorial page on the garden centre’s website.