BENTS Garden Centre is the best in the country -- that's official.

The Glazebury centre was honoured with the title of 'Overall Garden Centre of the Year' at the prestigious Nurseryman and Garden Centre Awards 2001 hosted by the Royal Horticultural Association at the Park Lane Hotel in London.

Incredibly this was the first year Bents entered the competition yet easily pushed aside previous winners to take the top accolade

Having secured the "best" title -- with an annual turnover of over £4million -- Bents then went on to scoop the main prize of Overall Garden Centre of the Year.

Centre owner Ron Bent said: "We are absolutely delighted -- we are still celebrating! It is genuine recognition of all the hard work and commitment everyone at the Centre has put in over the past couple of years."

A loyal customer underlined the qualities which make Bents so special saying: "I have been coming to Bents for over 30 years and seen the massive developments that have taken place. Each year it seems to get bigger and better than before, but what is really special is the quality of service. Staff attention to all customers is outstanding -- they really are deserving winners of this award."

Million customers

Bents Garden Centre employs over 200 staff and attracts over a million customers each year. Bents prides itself on being 'more than just a garden centre' and quotes its three core values as service, quality and innovation.

This award is the latest in a string of accolades won by the Centre. It is eight times winner of the Best Christmas Display in the Country and has recently been acknowledged as having the Best Outside Plant Area in the North West for 2001 by the Garden Centre Association.

Says Ron: "Awards are a fantastic way to recognise hard work and achievement, but they mustn't mark the end. They almost provide a benchmark from where we must continue to improve and innovate. It is hard work, but as a team we love to take on challenges and seek out new and better ways of doing things.

"Hopefully this time next year we will have added even more strings to our bow and will be making more exciting announcements."