THESE nursery pupils are blooming lovely...

and they have the award to prove it.

Youngsters from Victoria Park Kinder-garten have helped their exotic flower garden become a local tourist attraction.

Now they have been honoured with a Silver Spade from Let Glasgow Flourish, a competition run by the Trades Hall.

It is the first time a nursery has won the gong, which usually goes to Glasgow's pubs, hotels, banks and restaurants.

But judges were impressed by the Whiteinch nursery's array of tropical flowers and fruit.

Owner Gillian Machaffie said the youngsterse were delighted to have won the award, which she says is richly deserved for all their hard work.

Gillian said: "We really have to thank our gardener, Gordon Manning, who got all of this started.

"He came to the nursery to plant a few flowers and now we are known in the community for our beautiful garden.

"Just last week we had some Australian tourists outside taken photographs of the nursery as they couldn't believe how lovely the flowers were and how exotic.

"We are well known in Whiteinch now for our garden. Hopefully we'll attract even more visitors now."

Victoria Park Kindergarten was chosen from venues across the city to take the prize.

It is the top honour for city firms which decorate their premises with floral displays such as hanging baskets and window boxes.

In previous years Merchant City pub Babbity Bowsters has taken the gong, as has Kirklee Hotel, in Kensington Gate in the West End.

The Let Glasgow Flourish Awards, run by the Incorporation of Gardeners, are given out each year and the Dunbarton Road nursery has just had its visit from Pauline Bell, of Trades House, to receive the coveted award.

Gillian added: "We are over the moon to get this award.

"It's a testament to the work of the children and the work of Gordon, who has made the garden extra special."

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk