The winners of the Garden Centre Association's annual awards in the South Thames region were announced at a special ceremony held last night.
Squires Garden Centre in Hersham, Surrey, was awarded the title of Best Garden Centre and Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre in West Sussex took home the award for the Best Destination Garden Centre.

The awards, which are handed out based on the results of unannounced inspections by GCA officials, were presented at a ceremony held at Chessington Garden Centre in Surrey.

Chief executive of the GCA, Iain Wylie, said: ""This was the final award evening in our current series and it was an exceptionally upbeat event. A very well done to all our members who took part and everyone who scooped awards. We appreciate meeting our levels of excellence involves a lot of hard work and dedication."

Other awards on the night included:

Best Customer Service: Thompsons, Isle of Wight

Best Environment and Community: Thompsons, Canterbury

Best Creativity and Innovation: Garsons Garden Centre - Esher

Most Improved: Blackbrooks Garden Centre

Best Plant Area: Newbridge Nurseries (GC) and Coolings Nurseries (DGC)

Best Restaurant: Newbridge Nurseries (GC) and Chessington Garden Centre (DGC)

Garden Products Retailer: Newbridge Nurseries (GC) and Garsons Garden Centre - Esher (DGC)

Best Indoor Lifestyle: Joint winners Blackbrooks Garden Centre and Squires Garden Centre - Hersham (GC) and joint winners Garsons Garden Centre - Esher and Garsons Garden Centre - Titchfield (DGC)

Best Outdoor Living: Canterbury Garden Centre (GC) and joint winners Garsons Garden Centre - Esher, Polhill Garden Centre - Sevenoaks and Ransome Garden Centre (DGC)

The top scoring centres from all regions will be re-inspected before the titles of Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place in January 2015.