RHS calls for lower tax on seeds

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has called on prime minister Gordon Brown to lower tax on seeds and ornamental plants.

At present, all such products are classified as standard-rated items, meaning that the consumer pays tax at 17.5 per cent on them.

However, the charity states that lowering tax would provide people with more incentive to "green up" their gardens and benefit the environment at the same time.

Speaking at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, director general of the society Inga Grimsey commented: "Gardens are the way to connect people to the environment but there is little government incentive to encourage more people to green up what is on their door step."

She added that having a garden is seen as a luxury rather than an essential part of peoples lives and questions what could be more critical to a sustainable future than investing in trees and plants.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr was among the famous faces on hand at this years RHS Chelsea Flower Show.