CHILDREN from St Matthias School in Malvern Link were among those who celebrated their success at this year's Spring Gardening Show.

A show garden which the youngsters were involved in creating won a coveted gold medal from the Royal Horticultural Association.

Designer Alex Bell enlisted the pupils' help in creating his garden The Learning Curve. They grew plants, painted posts and created sculptures for the garden.

School head Jenny Eltes said: "We're all absolutely thrilled, especially as it was one of only two golds awarded at the show."

Another local winner was Paul Hervey-Brookes of Newent, who has won the Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship for his show garden Il Ballo Della Vita Humana.

Paul beat off stiff competition from nine other finalists to win, and will now spend the next year working alongside award-winning garden designer and broadcaster Chris Beardshaw. He will begin his scholarship immediately by being whisked off to London to help create Dawn Chorus, a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Chris Beardshaw said: “We were highly impressed with all of the finalists’ garden designs. We are very much looking forward to working with Paul.”

Sharon Gilbert of the Three Counties Agricultural Society said she was delighted with the turn-out for the show.

"We were a bit nervous, because of the economic situation, but ticket sales were up about 2,000 on last year, round about 92,300 in all. It was a really, really good show.

"One thing that was really popular was the eco homes and gardens area, and we were very lucky to have John Challis [Boycie from Only Fools and Horses] visiting us on Sunday as well."