HOPEFUL horticulturalists will be growing for gold this summer as a search is launched to find Inverclyde's greatest gardeners.

Cardwell Garden Centre is running its Gardenfest competition online again this year.

Gardeners are being encouraged to send Cardwell pictures of their outdoor arrangements which showcase their green-fingered skills.

The categories this year are general garden, hanging baskets, pots or containers and junior gardener.

Last year's winner was Bernie Robertson from Inverkip.

The closing date for entries is Monday August 16 and judging will be carried out by Tele gardening guru George Irvine and Cardwell director Kieran Gallagher.

Kieran said the team at Cardwell were determined that the competition would go ahead this year despite some coronavirus restrictions still being in place.

He said: "We’ve been involved in Gardenfest for many years.

"There are so many skilled gardeners living in Inverclyde and this is a great way for them to show how well their gardens grow.

"We want encourage the next generation of gardeners too and that’s why we have a junior gardener category.

"We can’t wait to see the photographs of people's gardens."

Each entrant should send a maximum of three pictures of their garden.

A trophy and a £50 voucher will be presented to the winner of each category.

Photos can be emailed to cardwellgardenfest@gmail.com or added to the Facebook post about the Gardenfest competition on the centre's page.

Prints can also be handed in at the Cardwell information desk or posted to the centre.

==

GROWING FOR GOLD: Last year's winner Bernie Robertson.