Southport Flower Show winner to set up business

A 23-year-old from Chorley has won the Southport Flower Show Student Garden Design competition after modelling his garden to match the competition theme of Liverpool.

Peter Cowell is studying for a BA in Garden Design at Myerscou College and studied Liverpools history as part of the preparation for the competition, which is celebrating the citys title as European Capital of Culture and Design.

Mr Cowell used reclaimed sleepers and millstones for the older section of the garden and utilised glass and timber for the more modern part.

"I am thrilled to be actually making the garden from my design," he told the Chorley Citizen.

"I am delighted to have won such a prestigious competition.

"I love going to Southport Flower Show every year, it is a great place for a day out and I hope visitors will enjoy seeing my garden there."

He won a total of £6,000, although £5,000 was to help him create his garden at the show.

He will now use the contacts he has made and the remaining £1,000 to help him set up his own garden business Living Gardens UK.