Welsh gardens under financial review

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is to undergo an independent financial assessment after requesting extra funding from the government.

Bosses hope to avoid a projected problem with cash flow by asking the Welsh Assembly for a further £250,000, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) revealed.

It made the move after predicting that visitor numbers may fall in 2010 and director Rosetta Plummer said the site is looking forward to the process.

She explained that it fully expected to be placed under review after agreeing such measures in a financial deal made in 2008.

"The garden welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate the significant steps forward it has taken, and is taking," she added.

Minister for heritage Alun Ffred Jones had asked for the independent audit after the Welsh Assembly granted the horticultural attraction the funding it requested.

In other news, the RHS has teamed up with the Health and Safety Executive to distribute information leaflets advising growers how to use, store and dispose of garden chemicals safely.