CHESTER Grosvenor Garden Centre’s annual Schools Growing Competition reached its climax with a blooming array of petunias carefully grown by local school children.

Six finalists from each of the 10 participating primary schools in Cheshire and North Wales displayed their petunias for the grand final.

Grosvenor’s schools ambassador John Nightingale, together with Grosvenor’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, James Mabon, were on hand to judge the winners.

Having regularly visited each school, John had already chosen the six healthiest plants from each school for the grand final.

After much deliberation, Daniel Scott from Aldford Primary School was judged to have grown the most successful Denim Wave Petunia and was presented with a trug full of Grosvenor goodies and £100 vouchers for his school.

Two runners-up, Miranda Hayes and Lily Seager of Sychdyn Primary and Dodleston Primary schools respectively, were also presented with prizes and £75 and £50 vouchers for their schools.

Mr Nightingale said: “Our schools growing competition has again proved popular and I am delighted that we are able to demonstrate how rewarding nurturing plants can be.”