Competition from supermarkets and online retailers is forcing the closure of a long-established Essex garden centre.
Planthome Garden Centre in Wickford has been operating for over half a century, and for the last seven and a half years has been owned by mother-and-daughter team Gill Blakesley and Tara Eklund. However, the business will now close its doors for the last time on October 27.

A closing-down sale is now running at the business, which has been unable to find a buyer.

Mrs Blakesley said the failure of the garden centre was down to a combination of factors, including cheap plants being sold by supermarkets. The tough economic climate and the poor weather over the last two springs have also played a part.

The closure of the garden centre will see three employees lose their jobs.