A FAMILY-owned and run business is celebrating after being crowned the best destination garden centre in the north west.

The award given by the Garden Centre Association (GCA) comes as Bents Home and Garden celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Matthew Bent, managing director of the Glazebury centre, said: “The GCA title is the one all garden centre’s want and we are delighted to be acknowledged as the best in the north west, especially in what is our 80th year; a great way to celebrate our anniversary.”

Bents also scooped the best restaurant and the environmental and community award for the north west region.

The awards follow a strict audit of garden centres throughout the country, with the results announced on a regional basis.

The GCA comprises more than 200 of the country’s best garden centres.

As a member, each garden centre undergoes a strict audit process, with judges assessing every part of it, from plant and product quality to customer service and innovation.

Bents, which was founded 80 years ago when Alfred and Margaret Bent started to sell roses from their front garden just yards from the centre’s current location on Warrington Road, received a spot visit by the GCA auditors and recorded one of the top scores in the country.

Matthew added: “It is a credit to all of our colleagues who work extremely hard to ensure our standards remain as high as possible throughout all areas of the centre.

"We would like to say a big thank you to each and every one of them for their continued commitment and input.”