SWINDON AND PROUD OF IT: FLORIST and Swindon lecturer Dave Martin has scooped a major award at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Dave of Rodbourne who teaches floristy at Swindon College and owns Evolution Floristry near to Swindon Station won a silver gilt medal for his exotic floral arrangement.

The arrangement was based on the theme A Glimpse Into Paradise and he beat off stiff competition from across the country to come second.

Dave, 42, who was put forward to enter the competition by the Wroughton Floral Arts Club, said: "I spent about three or four months planning the flower arrangement.

"I arrived at the show on Sunday night and worked from 9.30pm to 4.30am.

"The arrangement is seven foot high and the flowers form a screen.

"It contains orchids, lilies and other exotic flowers.

"It also included a shell that my partner found on a beach in the Caribbean a few years ago."

He says he is over the moon to have won the award, especially as it is the first time he has entered the show.

"I just can't believe it it's just such a great honour.

"The standard was so high

and I was quite nervous before the show.

" But everyone there was extremely friendly and it was a nice atmosphere."

Floristry is a family affair for Dave whose partner Debs Fewings, 35 is also in the business.

The couple have a daughter Amelia who is three-and-a-half.

Dave said: "Amelia is already a great gardener and she really loves flowers."

Diana Milne