A MUCH loved garden centre has been recognised as one of the finest in the UK by the Garden Centre Association (GCA).

Gordale Garden and Home Centre in Burton, near Ellesmere Port, has taken fifth place in the Top 100 UK Garden Centres list. The award makes Gordale one of only ten 'Garden Centres of Excellence' according to the GCA.

The winners were announced at the organisation's annual conference on Tuesday, January 24, at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Blackburn.

Founded in 1948, it is also one of the oldest garden centres in Britain with the award coinciding with its 75th anniversary year. Set in 15 acres of beautiful countryside, the popular store offers a large range of quality garden and homewares.

Owners Peter and Jill Nicholson said the news was 'exciting' for the family run business.

Jill Nicholson said: "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious horticultural industry accolade, especially as we mark a key milestone at the garden centre this year. The award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to keep delivering the best experience possible for our visitors."

The GCA said of its Garden Centres of Excellence winners: "All of them have shown immense dedication, hard work and enthusiasm in what they do and couldn’t be more deserving. Each and every winner is a real credit to the horticultural industry."