Ref. 25746-22A COUPLE who met through their mutual love of gardening are urging people to attend the Swindon Fuchsia and Pelargonium Society's 18th annual show later this month.

The society was set up in 1985 by a group of gardening enthusiasts keen on fuchsias, and pelargoniums - the new name for geranium.

Founder member Diane Boor says she fell in love with fuchsias through pure coincidence after she and her husband Peter moved into a newly built housing estate in Westlea.

The 59-year-old said: "One of the neighbours had moved in before us and she put a plant in each of the empty houses.

"She put a fuchsia in mine even though it isn't a house plant, but ours seemed to grow well.

"We've been hooked ever since. I have always been interested in gardening and that's how I met my husband," she said.

"I was ill for a while and my garden became desperately overgrown, which wouldn't bother normal people but it would if you are a gardener.

"A crowd of people came around to help, Peter stayed the longest and we ended up getting married."

She and her husband grow their prize-winning flowers at the back of their Moresby Close home.

The couple, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year, have won prizes for their blooms at local and national shows.

The Swindon Fuchsia and Pelargonium Society has around 70 members who meet monthly.

The society's yearly show will be held at the Haydon Centre in Thames Avenue. It takes place next Saturday and doors will be open from 1pm. Admission costs £1 for adults, 50p for OAPs and its free for children. For more information about the show or the society call Diane on (01793) 873426.

The couple also act as judges at national level for the British Fuchsia Society and will be organising a national show at the Haydon Centre in Thames Avenue, Swindon on August 24.