RHS Malvern Spring Festival begins today and students at a Vale college are taking part.

A group of 90 supported learning students from Pershore College, part of WCG, have created an entry for the festival’s School Garden Challenge.

The college’s entry celebrates the Commonwealth, while shining a light on environmental issues.

Louise Badham, head of department for supported learning, re-engagement and schools at WCG, said: “The School Garden Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for our students to create a show garden and learn about some important topics.

“The students are all aged 14 and above with special educational needs, and horticulture is proven to be very therapeutic.

“They have done an incredible amount of research into the Commonwealth to design the garden and have built it with very little support from their tutors. The research also got students talking about issues such as diversity and equality."

She added: “We have also been keen to focus on the environment and highlight the importance of carbon reduction, with all of the hard landscaping made from recycled materials, the water feature being solar powered and the catering students making jam from fruit we have grown at the college.

“Students will also be in attendance at the show, supported by staff, which will benefit their wider social skills.

“We’re now looking forward to seeing the final elements of the garden come together and welcoming the professional team of RHS garden judges ahead of the event.”

Pupils studying land-based courses have worked with tutors to create ‘A walk through the Commonwealth’ carbon-negative garden featuring flowers and plants native to Commonwealth countries, as well as decorations, garden furniture, and a water feature.

The four-metre squared plot includes themed bunting made by the students and a model of the Queen’s royal train, which travels around the edge of the raised beds.

Meanwhile catering students have created a cream tea for when the garden is unveiled, including scones and jam using fruits grown at the college.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival at the Three Counties Showground begins today, May 5, and runs until May 8, when the winners will be announced.