APRIL's fine weather has led to Malvern Spring Gardening Show benefiting from floral displays meant for Chelsea flower show in a fortnight time.

"The warm barmy spring with temperatures above normal has meant that plants are 3-4 weeks ahead of what they would normally be at this time of the year," explained Bob Sweet, Rural Horticultural Society director.

"A lot of the displays the crowds will be admiring at Malvern were actually meant to be seen at Chelsea later this month."

Launching the four-day event on the Three Counties Showground, Mr Sweet said RHS judges had awarded a total of 38 Gold medals.

"Considering that only seven years ago the total at Malvern would have been around 15 Golds it just shows how the show has moved on in terms of quality and how standards have risen," he said.

Among the gold winners were Cooks Garden Centre of Worcester Road, Stourport-on-Severn with a display of hanging baskets.

"I am chuffed to bits," said owner Paul Cook.

"We have been exhibiting at this show for about 20 years and this is the fifth gold award but only the second for hanging baskets and it's just amazing."

Another Gold winner was the husband and wife team of Carol and Rollin Nicholls of Grange Farm Nursery, Gualford, Malvern with a display of clematis.

Their stand, which also launched a new variety of Purple Rain clematis, also gained the Most Creative Designer Award.

There was also yet another gold at Malvern for Owen's Bros (of Worcester) Ltd of Claines.

"We have been exhibiting here since the show started in 1985," said Owen's manager Graham Parker.

"And we have won golds on many occasions but it's always nice to get another."

The Best in Show Garden was awarded to the special exhibit of a Victorian Bothy Garden created by celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw.

For pictures and more reports see tomorrow's Worcester News.