YOUNG professionals are boosting business for garden centres, as they take a shine to digging, planting and pruning.

And Ann Wescott is reaping the rewards, along with her son, Fraser. They have just opened their own specialist plant nursery in Brink-worth, called The Walled Garden Nursery.

Situated in the grounds of Brink-worth House, which is rented as offices, the nursery already has a host of young professionals on its books.

She said: "Gardening is often associated with people of retirement age.

"But we are also attracting smart, suited professionals. Gardening is very fashionable."

Mrs Wescott decided to set up her own gardening business, having worked with her son at Sherston Parva Nursery, near Malmesbury, for seven years.

"We gained so much experience, growing prize winning plants for horticultural shows all over the country, including The Chelsea Flower Show. So branching out on our own seemed the next logical move," she added.

Apart from the monthly land rental, their overheads are minimal. Although it is early days they hope to have an annual turnover of £40,000.

Mrs Wescott said: "We have no other members of staff to pay, so are able to offer a very personal service. It works well because Fraser is the creative one and I manage the books."

The Walled Garden specialises in clematis and unusual plants. Like the craze for more adventurous cooking, she believes that people of all ages are becoming more active in their gardens. And Mrs Wescott puts the latest trend down to the increasing number of garden TV shows.

"There are countless numbers of them The Flying Gardener, Home Front in the Garden and Ground Force to name just a few. They all inspire viewers to take pride in their gardens," she added.

James Nuttall, assistant manager at Blooms of Bressingham in Hay Lane, Wroughton, has also noticed an increase in the number of younger customers browsing among the bedding plants.

He said: "You are just as likely to see people wearing business suits as wellington boots in our garden centre. The garden is like another room to design and decorate. Unlike cooking, the final result is more lasting."

Blooms has 10 stores across the country. Mr Nuttall said that April and May is their busiest times of year and accounts for up to 30 per cent of their annual turnover, which amounts to some £3 million in the Swindon store.

Rather than specialising, Blooms aims to provide a one-stop-shop for everyone's needs in the garden.

Mr Nuttall added: "Time is particularly precious for business men and women, so we try to meet all their demands in the same place."