AN ABERGAVENNY award-winning florist has been chosen to be part of a main exhibition at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, May 20-24.

Charlotte Cooke, 27, is a senior wedding florist at Hilary’s Floral Design and will be part of a team of five who will create the Interflora exhibition at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show.

The florist has been working with her mother Hilary at the family-run business on Cross Street since she was 19.

Ms Cooke, said: “I am very excited as Chelsea is the best of the best. I have been part of the competition before but never as a member of a team. It’s a big honour to be part of such a big exhibition. This is the first year they have showcased young florists and what we can do.”

Ms Cooke will be one of five young florists who will be mentored by David Ragg, a RHS Chelsea gold medal-winning Interflora florist, to create this year’s design.

Each florist has designed their own wire frames.

“I will be using wool banded hoops as part of my design, I use quite a bit of craft material in my work – it has become my trademark,” Ms Cooke added. “I can make a few bits beforehand with the framework but we will have two days before the first day where we will attach all the flowers.

“I love the competition side of being a florist, making something a bit different and experimenting through the medium of flowers.”

Ms Cooke won bronze at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2011 and silver in 2013.