Gardeners from Suffolk and Essex have been celebrating their success at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

The famous competition, which is held in London and runs until Saturday, recognises the best in horticulture from around the world.

And several entries from our region have been recognised for their work with prestigious awards.

Among them was Mike Clare from Potash Nursery in Stowmarket.

His entry in the Floral Marquee was awarded a silver-gilt, the second highest prize available.

Mr Clare, who runs the nursery with his wife Sarah, said: “We were down here a couple of days doing the actual build.

“There was the prep beforehand back home before we came down.

“It’s difficult to say because there’s a couple of people doing it for five or six days and we potted the plants up last October.

“We’re always very proud because Chelsea is the biggest flower show in the world. We are really proud.

“We have done 16 Chelsea’s and this is our 10th silver-gilt on the trot.

“The gold has eluded us at Chelsea. We just seem to miss it.”

Also grabbing a silver-gilt award was Roger Harvey from Harvey’s Garden Plants in Bury St Edmunds.

“It’s a credit to the team under difficult building conditions,” Mr Harvey said.

“It was very warm which means for our woodland and shade plants it’s difficult to hold them in tip-top condition.

“It’s not a gold but it’s still a very high award.

“It took about three days to put together but it (the idea) has been in our minds for at least a couple of years.”

Roger Muir runs Ken Muir Limited in Clacton with his sisters Amanda and Susan. Their exhibit, which included a wall of strawberry plants, won silver.

“We hover around the silvers and golds,” Mr Muir said. “We’ve had 13 golds before.

“It’s still good and we’re pleased with that but I think it should have been a gold.”

For the first time ever, Product of the Year was won jointly by Harrod Horticultural, based in Lowestoft, and Bosch, which has a large factory in Stowmarket.

Bosch Lawn and Garden was recognised for the Isio Shape and Edge Shear, while Harrod Horticultural received its award for the Harrod Slot & Lock Storm Proof Vegetable Cages.