BENTS, the Glazebury-based garden centre, is celebrating again.

Following last year's announcement that Bents had been chosen as one of only 15 Garden Centre's of Excellence in the UK, it has now received its results from the annual Garden Centre Audit and has received the fourth highest mark out of almost 200 members of the national Garden Centre Association.

The result was not only one of the best in the country, but it was also the highest mark received by any garden centre in the North West.

The Garden Centre Audit is carried out on an annual basis by the GCA and follows strict guidelines to ensure high standards are met in areas such as customer service, quality products and surrounding environment.

But these weren't the only achievements. The Fresh Approach and Caf Nel Verde, the Centre's new concept restaurant, which is only 18 months old, achieved an outstanding 98 per cent - again, the highest mark for any garden centre - and the Centre received a special trophy acknowledging 'Most Innovative Displays in the country'.

Ron Bent, Centre owner says: "The Garden Centre Audit is of huge importance to GCA members - it is like the AA inspections for the hotel industry. The GCA embarks on a strict inspection of every member and provides each with a breakdown of their findings. These results are absolutely fantastic and they recognise the hard work and commitment that everyone at the Centre puts in on a daily basis.."

"Last year we were was visited by over 50 other centres all of whom wanted to see the way we do things - especially the restaurant - which is a tremendous form of flattery, but it also means we need to stay one step ahead all the time. We are constantly looking for new ideas and new products that will continually make us the first choice for the home and garden."