HOURS of hard work by more than 40 members of staff paid off for Lowestoft-based Harrod Horticultural, as it was awarded a Certificate of Merit for outstanding presentation for its trade stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

HOURS of hard work by more than 40 members of staff paid off for Lowestoft-based Harrod Horticultural, as it was awarded a Certificate of Merit for outstanding presentation for its trade stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The award - which is the highest accolade that can be achieved for a trade stand at the show - was presented to Harrod Horticultural marketing manager Jon Couch at the show last week, following a visit by the official judging panel.

Mr Couch said: 'We are delighted with this year's award. It pays testament to the hours of hard work our staff put into the show.' He said the team effort included work by those involved behind the scenes designing and constructing the stand, picking and packing the product, putting together successful marketing material, and producing a PR campaign.

'That's not to mention those that have to be on their feet for days during the show to reinforce Harrod Horticultural's position as one of the leading mail order retailers of superior products to grow your own,' Mr Couch added.

It's the eighth time the Lowestoft-based mail order company has exhibited at the famous show. In this time it has received three Certificates of Commendation and it is the third consecutive year that it has won a prestigious Certificate of Merit.

Mr Couch had special praise for Jon Wheatley, a previous winner of five Gold Medals for pavilion stands, who supplied an impressive display of vegetable and flower planting to enhance the range of products on display. 'It did so much towards helping the successful launch of our new timber patio growing range which we were able to showcase for the first time at the event,' he said.

The Harrod Horticultural trade stand is planned up to nine months before the show.

The main display area was dedicated to the exclusive structures designed and manufactured in Lowestoft including a walk-in fruit and vegetable cage, timber-raised beds and a new timber patio range to inspire patio growing.

Every year 157,000 people visit the show over the week and this year the show was a sell-out weeks in advance.

'The Chelsea Flower Show is always an important date in the diary,' Mr Couch said. 'It's a great opportunity to gain valuable product and customer feedback, launch our newest product ranges and maintain our brand awareness in the gardening market.'