Gold for Shropshire growers David Austin Roses at Chelsea Flower Show

The Albrighton nursery scooped gold in the Great Pavilion awards.

David Austin senior, David Austin junior and his son Richard Austin made their way to the annual London event last Wednesday to prepare their display.

The team said they had worked flat out and around the clock since to ensure they were ready to wow judges.

And today they were rewarded with another gold award to add to their impressive record and the world's most prestigious flower show.

As always, it was a family affair with three generations of Austins at Chelsea with the team of eight.

Nicola Bethell for David Austin said: "We are really really pleased. We thought the garden looked good this year and we hoped that would be recognised with a gold and it was so we are absolutely thrilled.

"It was a really good atmosphere this year and the great weather helps."

The internationally-renowned rose growers welcomed actor Richard E Grant, Radio Two presenter Jo Whiley and journalist Nigel Slater to their stand on the opening day of Chelsea.

Nicola said: "It was really lovely to see celebrities making a point of coming to our stand.

"They all seemed really interested in the roses and were really impressed by the fragrance.

"It was lovely as we had three generations there. Now we want to go back next year and get another gold."

The flower company was going for gold for the second year running after putting the finishing touches to their new display on Sunday night.

Judges decided yesterday whether the rose growers had done enough to scoop gold for the second year running and awards were given out first thing this morning.

Marketing co-ordinator Alison Greaves said: "We started last Wednesday and everything was finished about 8pm on Sunday night.

"We have sent quite big team of eight people, who have all helped to set the display up.

"We are also in the main marquee, so our display is forming one of the main focal points.

New rose varieties included in the display for the first time included Olivia Rose Austin, named after David Rose senior's 19-year-old granddaughter.

Other new varieties included The Poet's Wife and The Lady of the Lake.

David Austin started the company in 1969 and was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2003 for his services to horticulture.

He has also been awarded the Dean Hole Medal by the Royal National Rose Society and received an Honorary MSc from the University of East London for his work on rose breeding.

Mr Austin received the lifetime achievement award from the Garden Centre Association in 2004.

The Chelsea Flower Show is organised annually by the Royal Horticultural Society and runs until Saturday.

Graphics courtesy of www.uniquemagazines.co.uk