AN award-winning garden designer is teaming up with a Worcester builders' merchants to create a focal point for a hugely popular gardening event.

Former Pershore College lecturer Chris Beardshaw, aged 39, planned the Design for Living Theatre currently being put up at the Three Counties Showground for the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, which starts next week.

The arena-type structure is designed to provide the centrepiece for the Royal Horticultural Society event's expert demonstrations, talks and interviews.

Bullock Buildbase, the Worcester branch of the Buildbase chain, is providing the construction materials for Mr Beardshaw's showpiece at the RHS's first big flower event of the season.

The firm, based in Navigation Road, Diglis Trading Estate, is providing materials for the theatre's stage including slate paving slabs, thermalite blocks, timber, and water feature fixtures and fittings.

The company also supplied materials for Mr Beardshaw's award-winning exhibition garden at Malvern, where he picked up gold for Best Show Garden, last year, and the RHS's Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows.

Nigel Bullock, Buildbase's landscaping manager, said: "We are very proud to be joining forces with Chris again to support this exciting project.

"We have been able to supply the products that he needs for the stage area which is bound to make an impact at the show."

As well as seeing the specially created structure, event-goers will be able to enter a Buildbase contest to win £800 of patio paving of the type used in Mr Beardshaw's design.

The winner of the Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship, giving new landscape designers the chance to work with the award-winning gardeners, will also be announced at the show.

The event, which runs from Thursday, May 8, until Sunday, May 11, is always popular with garden enthusiasts and attracted more than 100,000 visitors in 2007.

Frances Toase, co-owner of Chris Beardshaw's garden design company, said: "We have very close links with the area and wanted to do something to provide a hub for the show."