Cook's Garden Centre of Stourport on Severn was awarded a gold medal for its exhibit at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, producing the largest ever display in the event's 28 year history and centred around a stunning collection of hydrangeas.

"We've introduced three new varieties this year," explained garden centre owner Paul Cook. "In particular, one is a lovely soft, warm pink plant called Love. So you could say we've brought love to Malvern."

Cook's took a week to build a massive 10 metre square stand and pack it with plants.

"We've been exhibiting every year since the first show way back in 1986," Mr Cook added. "So we thought we'd make a special effort this year and it's really paid off."

As well as gold for Cook's, RHS judges awarded gold medals to two other long time Worcestershire exhibitors, Grange Farm Nursery of Guarlford, near Malvern and Owens Bros (of Worcester) based at Bevere.

Grange Farm, which is run by Carol and Rollin Nicholls, called their display 'The Artist's Garden' after being inspired by a visit to Monet's garden in France last year, while Owens Bros, which has never been out of the medals during the history of the show, scored again with an immaculate display of conifers.

Best in show in the Floral Marquee, which contained entries from 80 of the top nurseries in the UK, was Drointon Nurseries of Ripon, North Yorkshire with a display of primulas and the judges gave the "most creative exhibit" award to Crescent Plants of Marden, near Leominster, which again featured primulas.