CROWDS turned out to join the opening celebrations as Webbs, the award-winning family business, marked the completion of its £5m redevelopment last Friday.

It is now the UK's biggest garden centre.

Mid-Worcestershire MP, Peter Luff, civic dignatories from Bromsgrove and Droitwich and well known gardening experts helped mark the official opening of the extended and re-styled Wychbold site with a celebratory breakfast .

The event is the latest milestone in a family business success story.

The firm has grown from humble beginnings in the mid-1800s into a leading name in the UK gardening industry.

The garden centre and riverside display gardens already attract over a million visitors a year.

A huge aquatic department, fresh flower shop, garden machinery store, and outdoor landscape displays are among the new and improved areas.

The recently opened Food Hall, specialising in regional produce, and a restyled 400-seat restaurant have already proved a great hit with visitors.

Executive chairman, Ed Webb, said: "Quite simply we're passionate about continuing to be our customers' favourite garden centre, whatever the garden centre of the future may be.

"However, we know, because they've told us, our customers also really wanted somewhere inspirational to buy gifts for themselves or family, to pursue other associated activities such as cooking with great local produce, being creative with arts and crafts, or being active with walking and hiking.

"Bringing these customer needs under one roof whilst delivering great service should ensure we continue to be our customers' favourite garden centre for years to come."

"It is therefore with pleasure we welcome retailers of the calibre and quality of Hobbycraft, Cotswold Outdoor and Royal Worcester to join us on site."

Mr Webb also anounced plans to create an arboretum as a lasting legacy for generations of visitors to come. The redevelopment, which includes 67,000sq ft of new covered retail space, has created over 150 new jobs, taking the workforce to around 400 and making Webbs one of the biggest local employers.