A TATWORTH florist was part of a Somerset duo which showed to the Chelsea Flower Show last month.

Seasoned Chelsea competitor, Tatworth’s Lisa Fowler was joined by first-timer Jane Cowling as finalists for florist of the year.

The pair work for Taunton’s Eden florist, based in St James Street.

Lisa is a previous Chelsea Florist of the Year and double gold medal winner and has added to her medal hoard with another silver this year.

She said: “It was fantastic to be back at Chelsea again after a couple of year’s break.”

For the last stage of the competition, the 16 finalists were asked to design a floral throne for a Spring wedding – a nod towards the recent wedding of Harry and Meghan.

Lisa added: “The brief this year was really challenging and stressful, with us renaming the design as ‘The Chair of Despair’ but all the stress was worth it in the end.

“I was inspired by my garden and the Somerset countryside with its green wooded areas.

“I mostly used natural and biodegradable materials as I wanted to create a design that had a low impact on the environment.

“The frame work evolved from a very dishevelled £5 Ebay chair with the finished shape symbolising natures church for a humanist style wedding ceremony.”

Eden is an established wedding florist and flower school based in St. James Street in Taunton.

Jane, owner of Eden, said: “Lisa and I have been designing wedding flowers for many couples throughout the area for the last 18 years.

“Chelsea is seen as the pinnacle of British floristry competitions, especially as it is the only one viewed by the public which makes it very relateable. Everyone knows about a Chelsea medal.”

Jane’s design was based on the shape of a calla lily, rather than a traditional throne design.

The thrones were made in Somerset and then transported to the show.

They were judged on idea, colour, composition and technique.

Both ladies’ exhibits are currently on display in Eden’s St James Street studio in Taunton and they will also be re-created for the Taunton Flower Show in August.

Jane added: “The buzz and excitement of the show is totally addictive and it feels like a real honour to compete there.

“It was a huge surprise to make it to the final and it felt like an honour to be there.”