GARDENERS could win £100 this summer if they grow the best sweet peas in a competition.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of South Cerney Flower Show this August, Martin Stephens has launched a competition to find the best sweet peas in the Cotswolds.

As a child, Martin, from Cirencester, grew up around the delicate flowers as his parents visited shows all across the county with their own sweet peas.

Despite hating anything to do with sweet peas – because his mum and dad would hand out weeding and cleaning tasks as a punishment to him and his sisters – he still wanted to run the competition.

“My parents used to grow thousands of plants each year and showed them in many of the local flower shows. Indeed, they won the Stroud Flower Show cup for 10 years running,” said Martin.

“They also produced their own variety, which they were hoping to get adopted by the Sweet Pea Society, but unfortunately this was not taken up before they passed away.

“I am planning a sweet pea competition in memory of them and to add a bit of fun, broadly basing it on an event more than 100 years ago in the Daily Mail.”

In 1911, the Mail offered £1,000 for the best bunch of sweet peas, to celebrate the coronation of George V.

Martin is offering £100 for the winner, with £10 for second prize and £5 for third, in his competition.

Each entrant needs to have a bunch of sweet peas with at least three varieties ready by the first weekend in August. To show your interest, email martinstephens712@gmail.com or call 07812 208922.