A WARRINGTON prison has been awarded a prestigious gardening trophy.

The RHS and Prison Service have unveiled HMP Thorn Cross as the winner of this year’s Windlesham Trophy.

The trophy is given to a prison garden in England and Wales each year for its outstanding horticulture and promotes the benefits of green, outdoor spaces on wellbeing and rehabilitation rates.

Thorn Cross impressed the judges with the exceptional quality of their planting in a variety of gardens, including Japanese and Mediterranean-inspired areas, formal gardens and a large wildlife-friendly patch.

As well as this, a ‘Rehabilitation River’ display at Thorn Cross represents the journey of an offender, giving a message of hope and the opportunity for a brighter future.

The pebbles take the course of a river, flowing through plants such as irises and primula, chosen for their diverse colour and height.

Prisoners are encouraged to be creative with their choice of plants and the judges particularly liked the Sub-Mediterranean display of palms and perennial lilies which bring colour to the courtyard.

And the open prison in Appleton Thorn impressed judges so much that it came out on top in this year’s finals, in a very closely-contested competition.

Thorn Cross last won the trophy in 2011. 

Alex Boscarino, land-based activities manager at HM Prison Thorn Cross said: “Prisoners have built a fantastic green space through their choice of plants, colours and garden designs to reflect a positive, rehabilitative environment.

“Around 30 men work in the apiary, on growing food and in conservation, giving them work experience, life skills and nationally-recognised qualifications that help them find employment on release.”

RHS President Keith Weed, presenting the trophy, added: “It’s clear that the collaboration between the RHS and the Prison Service can play an important role in celebrating the positive impact of gardening in prisons.

"It helps to demonstrate the benefits that gardening can have for everyone in society – it’s not just about creating beautiful landscapes, it’s much, much more.”