EIGHTY gardeners with special needs have put their green fingers to the test at the first ever West Midlands Flower Show.

The event, held at The Elms in Kidderminster, was attended by projects from across the region where people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and physical disabilities go to garden, learn new skills and gain confidence.

Richard Woollatt, from the national gardening charity Thrive, which helped organise the show, said it had been a great success.

"An excellent time was had by all, from clients to judges," he said.

"Some of the entries would have looked at home in a gardening magazine - the quality was so high."

Medals were awarded by the Deputy Mayor of Kidderminster, Coun Helen Dyke.

The overall Best in Show prize went to Robert Tombs, from the Employment Preparation Team, at Nechells, in Birmingham.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor opened the event and judges included Noelle Wilson, from the Top Barn project in Worcester, and David Gatherum, a professional horticulturist from Hereford.

Next year's event is going to be held at Greenfingers horticultural project in Stourport-on-Severn, and competitors from this year's show are already planning their entries.