Months of painstaking preparation has paid off for floral growers and garden designers across the region as they celebrate a clutch of awards at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show this morning.

Rose grower Peter Beales Roses, in Attleborough, discovered it had won another gold award at this year's world famous event to add to its existing tally of 18.

Ultra-tall wooden obelisks and a carved sculpture by Martin Pigg were the eye-catching features on the grower's award-winning stand, which also displayed the newly-launched The Churchill Rose.

Chairman Peter Beales said: 'It was a fantastic surprise to win a gold this year, especially after the excessive dry weather we have had in Norfolk.'

Family-run nursery Thorncroft Clematis, of Reymerston, between Dereham and Wymondham, has also scooped its their fifth gold award in a row for its colourful stand.

Director Jonathan Gooch said it had been a nail-biting last few weeks for staff trying to prevent the beautiful blooms from flowering early due to Norfolk's recently prolonged period of sunny weather.

On the gold award, he said: 'We're greaty relieved and pleasantly surprised and thought this year in particular we had just a 50/50 chance of a gold medal so it's a wonderful feeling.'

Also celebrating is garden design company Deakinlock Ltd, based at Earsham Hall near Bungay, which has repeated its Chelsea success of last year, scooping a Silver Gilt award for its creation A Fruitful Garden for Suffolk-based John Woods Nurseries.

The colourful garden by Chris Deakin and Jason Lock is based on a home owned by a retired couple who are keen gardeners and shows what can be achieved in a small space.

Their success has already inspired the creative duo to plan a larger show garden for next year and they are actively seeking sponsorhip.

Mr Deakin said: 'We want to explore creating a Chelsea garden that reflects the environment in which we live and work, drawing on the fabric of the East Anglian landscape.'

For further coverage, see tomorrow's newspaper.

Are you an exhibitor who has trimuphed at this year's Chelsea Flower Show? Contact Stephanie Brooks on 01379 651176 or email stephanie.brooks@archant.co.uk