A SPIRALLING sea of lush green foliage, horseshoe-shaped bed of pink and silver and a giant spider's web are among the exciting student entries to a Malvern gardening competition.

The competition - called Borders Without Gardens - is part of the annual Malvern Spring Gardening Show, being held at the Three Counties Showground from Thursday, May 11, until Sunday, May 14.

Event organisers the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) and the Royal Horti-cultural Society (RHS) say they are delighted with the quality of the designs so far entered for the competition.

TCAS press officer Sharon Gilbert said: "Malvern has long been recognised as a champion of up-and-coming design talents joining the show circuit for the first time.

"This prestigious new competition aims to give students from colleges and design schools throughout the country the opportunity to achieve recognition for their work, and maybe even a coveted RHS medal."

Competition criteria is reasonably flexible, with no restrictions on shape or theme, but borders must be between 15 and 20 square metres. The first eight schemes received and approved will be awarded a grant of £1,000 and BBC Gardeners' World presenter Joe Swift will join RHS experts on the panel of judges.

Garden design students who would like more information about the competition and/or an application form should contact Doreen Smillie on 01684 584900.