THEY'RE blooming marvellous.

Greenfingered men and women from across Hampshire went head to head with the country's best gardeners bringing home a wheelbarrow of awards from Chelsea Flower Show.

Hillier Nurseries is among those celebrating today after winning the top prize at the show for the 70th year running.

The Romsey-based firm struck gold in the Great Pavilion Awards section for its stunning display of 4,000 trees, shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants in a series of interlinking gardens.

Gardener Ricky Dorlay has worked on their displays at the firm for the last 50 years.

The 74-year-old said: “I am absolutely thrilled – and a bit emotional. You never take anything for granted, so it is absolutely wonderful news.”

Hampshire Carnivorous Plants also won gold in the Great Pavilion Awards section after wowing judges with its exhibition of plants from the US and Canada.

Nursery Matthew Soper and his team have won the top prize every year since they began exhibiting 17 years ago.

The medal is also their 119th gold prize they have received from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) since the nursery, based in Lower Upham was launched in 1996.

Matthew said: "I'm thrilled. We're only a small nursery so it's quite an achievement.

"We came in this morning and the medal was on the table. When you're walking up to it you never know. It's also a relief that after all that work it's been worth it."

Meanwhile Sparshot College, near Winchester, was awarded gold in the Discovery Awards section - their 13th medal and sixth gold at the show.

Their display called The Hip Cycle which was designed and built by a team of 13 horticulture students shows the history of the hop and its uses.

It also features beer barrels and pumps from their exhibit partner Wadworth brewery, a penny farthing and a pub sign.

Lecturer Chris Bird, who led the team said: "They have had to work incredibly hard for the honour but their huge efforts have reaped them the ultimate prize.

"As horticulturalists embarking on their professional career there can be no greater stepping stone than RHS Chelsea Gold."

Breast cancer charity The Haven also won gold in the artisan section for their garden which will be carefully transported to the new Wessex Haven in Titchfield before it opens in October.

The garden was designed by Sarah Eberle to the theme of peace and tranquility and features a willow sculpture by Tom Hare.

Deborah Slaugher from The Haven said: "We're absolutely thrilled. The garden will raise awareness for the fact that we're due to open in October and our work providing support for people with breast cancer in Hampshire and beyond."