A HEREFORDSHIRE firm is celebrating another success at the

Chelsea Flower Show

.

Oak Leaf Gates

, which is based at Pomona Farm, Bartestree, picked up a prestigious five-star award for its stand at this year's show.

It was the 21st time the firm had exhibited at Chelsea – it's first appearance there was in 1999 – and it has won the the five-star award every year since it was introduced seven years ago.

Chelsea Flower Show has been held annually for more than 100 years in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and is regarded as the most prestigious show of its kind in the UK, and probably the world.

Oak Leaf Gate specialises in top-quality oak gates and garage doors.

Managing director Richard Eccleston said: "We try to make a big impact with our stand to impress the high-end customers we are looking to attract, so a lot of time effort and money are invested.

"I am now chairman of the trade stand judging panel, working with the Royal Horticultural Society shows team assessing all trade stands at all RHS shows, including Chelsea."

Richard said the firms presence at the show helps bring in about half of its annual orders.

"With an architectural training, I design the core of the stand with the assistance of a plant expert. This year Jamie Butterworth of

Butterworth Horticulture

designed the planted areas of the stand."

Oak Leaf Gates also prides itself on its environmental credentials.

All the timber it uses is from sustainably managed woodlands, and its workshop is heated by a biomas boiler that burns woodchip.

Solar panels on the roof provide most of the electricity needed to run the workshop.

Richard said: "Our team of craftsmen have a real pride in their work, when each commission is completed they fix a bronze plaque to the inside of the gate with their name engraved on.

"At Oak Leaf Gates we are also keen to invest in the future, and we sponsor two awards at local schools, working with students and staff to inspire their creativity and instil a passion for design in the next generation."