REASEHEATH College hosted a bug-tastic exhibit at this year’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The college, based in Nantwich, is a regular medal winner in previous years, but chose this year to put on an educative feature so was not judged in the show garden category.

The flower show, which showcases the best of British gardening talent, was enjoyed by 80,000 visitors before closing on Sunday.

The garden – called ‘The Leaf’, took visitors on an exploration through the structural layers of a leaf and showed how the plant might try to avoid predators.

The garden itself was designed and built by foundation degree in garden and landscape design undergraduates Matthew Kent, Nigel Barber and Sam Lawton.

Matthew said: “We wanted to step outside the box and design something which was young and interesting.

“We really enjoyed the reaction of visitors when they were viewing the garden.”

Pochin Construction, which are the contractors on Reaseheath’s £8.5 million national centre for horticulture, sustainability and environmental management, sponsored the garden.

The giant aphid, the centrepiece of the exhibit, was manufactured by Nantwich firm Harbrook Engineering.

Pupils from The Dingle Primary School, Haslington, Thomas Atkinson, six, his seven year-old sister Beau, Poppy Beeson, eight, and seven year-old Ruby Deaville, who were dressed as ‘bug hunters’, posed with the giant aphid on press day.

Reaseheath floristry students were also celebrating after winning the RHS Tatton Park Floristry College of the Year Competition for the second year running.

The prestigious competition is open to UK based floristry colleges and training providers and showcases the talent of students.

Reaseheath’s victorious team were Level 3 Diploma in Floristry students Carol Edgington, Robyn Longden and Rachel Collinson-Fletcher, who were supported by Head of Floristry Sue Poole.

As well as winning the college competition they also won a silver gilt medal for their stand.

Ian Lloyd, who is a senior RHS floristry judge, said: “The stand was immaculate and the finish and presentation were excellent.

“The whole exhibit was a real credit to Reaseheath’s students and all the judges were extremely impressed.”