Garden designers get set for Three Counties showdown

Gardeners heading to the Spring Gardening Show at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire will see the culmination of a hard-fought battle for the Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship.

Around 90,000 visitors are expected to turn out at the May event as 12 young garden designers compete for the opportunity to learn from one of the best.

The designers will create gardens that will be judged by a panel and are on display to the public at the show, which takes place between May 7th and May 10th.

Scholarship sponsor Chris Beardshaw explained his hope that the project would unearth a garden design star of the future.

"I am passionate about raising the profile and awareness of the landscape design industry and this scheme is unique as it brings together key players who are all working together to fast-track one individual for a professional career in landscape design," he said.

The show is set to be even more popular than last year, with advanced bookings outstripping 2008s figures.