This garden was clearly not inspired by the Preston weather Pic: Colin Lane

A little slice of Tuscany created in rainy old Preston has triumphed at the Southport Flower Show.

The stunning show garden which focuses on an olive tree is the brainchild of Sandy McDonald.

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Sandy runs Leyland firm C&W Berry Limited and brought the show garden to Victoria Park.

Working on it since late July the garden has a large olive tree at its centre surrounded by a body of water.

Read more: Preston’s Miss England heading for Southport Flower Show

Sandy told the Southport Visiter: “It was a fantastic surprise to find out we had won!

“I came to Southport Flower Show last year, but this is the first time we have created a show garden.

“The brief this year was a Mediterranean garden, and we went for the idea of having an olive tree at its heart because they are so synonymous with the Mediterranean.”

Sandy McDonald from C&W Berry Ltd (centre) is awarded the Brockhouse Trophy for the best exhibit at Southport Flower Show 2016 by Carol Klein (left) and Ainsley Hariott (right) Pic: Colin Lane

The independent builder’s merchant employs 230 staff and has been trading in the North West for more than 60 years.

Sandy said: “We hope that visitors to our garden will observe products and designs that will inspire them to look at new and bespoke items and see that all merchants do not offer the same level of product and service.”