The Golden Acres group of Dorset and Hampshire garden centres has appointed Emma Green into a new role of group plant area co-ordinator.

The position will involve liaising with suppliers and plant area managers at the group's four centres to ensure customers can buy high quality plants at the best possible price.

One of her aims will be to reduce dependency on overseas shrub suppliers and buy in the UK wherever possible, especially locally.

Ms Green started out as a gardener and trained at Kingston Maurward College. She then joined a garden centre as retail assistant before promotion to plant area manager for six years.

She said: "I joined Golden Acres because it stands out in the South as a forward-moving garden centre group that's investing heavily in the quality of its centres."