Chelsea prize is blooming good for students

A GROUP of green-fingered students have won a silver medal for their garden design in the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.

The 12-strong team, who are studying at the Scottish Agricultural College, are thought to be the first students in Scotland to win a prize at the event.

They have been working since the end of last year on their "21st century croft" garden and spent more than a week constructing it at the show.

The Sustainable Highland Garden design is a contemporary adaptation of an ancient Scottish way of life and aims to promote biodiversity and renewable energy.

It boasts a wildflower roof, solar panels and a wind turbine and provides ideal conditions for birds and insects, including the bees from the croft's hive.

It also features an organic vegetable garden and herb area.

One member, Paul Lyall, 39, from Restalrig, said: "Once it was built I thought it would probably be worth a medal and silver is pretty good. It's been a tremendous experience."