MIDDLETON Cheney garden centre Purely Plants is outgrowing its bigger competitors.

It has been named the Most Improved Garden Centre of 2005 by the the Horticultural Trades Association the national body for the nursery and garden centre sector.

The award was open to garden centres and nurseries in the Thames Valley and London area with turnover of up to £3m.

The victory was impressive because although Purely Plants was judged the most improved, it had a smaller turnover than its rivals.

Owner Sally Stephens and her all-female team of gardening enthusiasts have more than doubled the size of the sales areas since 2004.

Eve Tigwell, horticultural consultant and a member of the judging panel, said: "Sally and her team have put a lot of hard work into the centre. They have certainly used the advice offered by members of the association exactly what the award was established to recognise."

Mrs Stephens said: "The team is absolutely delighted by this unexpected award, particularly as it was made by other garden centre owners and an independent consultant.

"I owe a big thank you for all the hard work of the staff and to our loyal customers."