A group of gardeners with learning disabilities are planning to take a show garden to the world’s largest flower show this summer.

The team from Furzey Gardens in Minstead have been accepted to RHS Hampton Court Flower Show to build a garden that will be seen by up to 140,000 people over the show week in early July.

It is inspired by a small waterfall area next to Furzey’s popular lake area and features plants for which the woodland garden is renowned for.

It will allow gardeners to demonstrate the horticultural skills they have built over several years working at New Forest visitors attraction Furzey Gardens, which is run by local charity Minstead Trust.

The gardens have been supporting people with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years to maintain the gardens and grow plants to sell in the nursery. 

Supported gardener Dave said: "I like planting the seeds and watching them grow in the summertime. I am excited. I am happy to be involved."

Minstead Trust support instructor John Davies added: "This is a really exciting challenge the guys are taking on, a chance for them to show what they can do if given opportunities that are usually not available to them.

"Many of them have been through really hard times in their lives and this is a chance for them to stand at the show at the end of this journey and feel really proud of what they have achieved.

"I hope people will support us so that we can change some minds around what people with learning disabilities can do if given a chance."

The gardening team now need to raise £15,000 to create and build their garden and are asking supporters and businesses to donate directly to the appeal at minsteadtrust.org.uk/hampton , buy raffle tickets to win a range of horticultural prizes or become a sponsor.

The show garden aims to help change perceptions in society towards people with learning disabilities. Gardening can play a role in giving people purpose in their life and a chance to show what they can achieve.

The garden will be built between now and June and then transported to the show and assembled.