AN ABERGAVENNY florist has won a gold medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

Charlotte Cooke, 27, is a senior wedding florist at Hilary's Floral Design and won a gold medal for the Interflora exhibit named Succession at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show yesterday.

Penhow Nurseries, Caldicot, also added to Monmouthshire's success in the event taking a silver-gilt flora award in the floral marquee category.

Ms Cooke was part of a team of five young florists who designed the exhibition which consisted of five wire canopy frames adorned with flowers falling in the colour palettes of pinks, oranges and yellows.

The florist has been working with her mother Hilary at the family run business on Cross Street since she was 19-years-old and has previously won bronze at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2011 and silver in 2013.

She previously told the Free Press: "It's a big honour to be part of such a big exhibition, this is the first year that they have showcased young florists and what we can do."

The five young florists were mentored by David Ragg, a RHS Chelsea gold medal winning Interflora florist, to create this year's design.

Mr Ragg said: “Each frame has been internally lit and mirrors on the base of the exhibit enable visitors to view the inside of the frames. It is a truly exceptional design and shines a light on the young talent in the florist industry today.”

Rhys Hughes, president of Interflora, said: “Recognition by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a huge honour and reaffirms Interflora’s reputation for expertise and creativity. Each and every one of our florists around the country has the vision and skill to create something spectacular.”

The award winning Interflora ‘Succession’ exhibit will be on display to the public at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show until Saturday, May 24.