ROSS-on-Wye residents Angela and Graham O’Connell achieved a long-held ambition to have an input on a garden at Chelsea Flower Show.

The pair are both assistant county organisers for the National Garden Scheme in Herefordshire and are usually found being involved in supporting local gardens in opening for charity.

But this year they were part of a Gold Award winning garden on main avenue at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The National Garden Scheme Garden was designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, was brought to life by crocus and funded by Project Giving Back.

The National Garden Scheme Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, brought to life by Crocus and funded by Project Giving Back has won an RHS Gold Medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

National Garden Scheme chief executive, George Plumptre, said: “It’s a fantastic conclusion to months of planning. Working with the superlative team of Tom Stuart-Smith and Crocus has been hugely rewarding and the support from Project Giving Back has created a garden so worthy of Gold.”

Mr Stuart-Smith said: “I’m very happy for everyone who has been involved in the garden. It’s wonderful for the National Garden Scheme and wonderful for the Crocus team who have put all this together.

“The materials they’ve been working with are so extraordinary that it’s really nature and the plants that ought to be congratulated too.”

The garden with its woodland edge planting and artisan hut will be thrilling the public on main avenue and across television coverage in the week ahead.

Graham and Angela said: “The garden was stunning and it was an absolute delight to talk to visitors about the plants, the design and how it will fit into its eventual home as a garden at the Maggie’s cancer support centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.”

For those who didn’t manage to get to Chelsea they can visit a couple of Tom Stuart-Smith designed local gardens on June 2 at Brockhampton Cottage and at Grendon Court at Upton Bishop.