GREEN-FINGERED Sabbi Ward and Heidi Thompson have been invited to exhibit their award-winning courtyard garden at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Show in Birmingham in June.

Mrs Ward, from Castle Combe, and Mrs Thompson, from Bath, met while studying garden design at Lackham College and were invited to exhibit as part of Gardeners' World Live from June 16-20 at the NEC after scooping a gold medal in the student category of last year's show.

Mrs Ward, who is the practice

sister at Box doctors' surgery, said the invitation was a huge honour.

"Heidi and I met at college and have continued to work together as garden designers on a part-time basis," she said.

"Both of us have already worked on commissions, which we have worked around our regular jobs, but we are thrilled to be exhibiting at the national show and to be working on such a big project together.

"The show is visited by thousands of people and it's great to know that so many people will be able to see what we have created."

The pair's inspirational courtyard garden combines relaxation and

social activities and has been

created to appeal to all ages.

"It stimulates the senses through fragrance, sound, variation in

texture and visual impact and

comprises primarily of two raised borders in a curved design,"

explained Mrs Ward.

"We use a range of purple and blue plants and Greek urns to compliment silvery grey slate and plum-coloured materials and there is also a tented structure which can provide a shaded environment on a hot day for reading, relaxing or as an imaginative children's play area.

"In the evening the tent would become an atmospheric place to socialise with friends or relatives."

Sabbi and Heidi are now planning to visit plant suppliers.

"We need to find a supplier which can loan us the materials we need to recreate the garden in Birmingham," said Mrs Ward.

"It's going to be hard work, but it should be very exciting. And who knows, it could even result in some more commissions for us."