As part of the Garden Re-Leaf Day campaign next year, participating garden centres could win a "money-can't buy, footfall-boosting" visit from ITV gardener David Domoney next March.
Centres taking part in the garden industry's annual charity fund-raising weekend are being encouraged to enter the 'Gardening Date with David' competition to win the visit from Mr Domoney. He is offering a series of 30-minute expert talks, the topics of which will be chosen between him and the garden centre that wins.

Organisers also request that the winning retailer makes Mr Domoney's special appearance a ticketed event, with proceeds going towards Garden Re-Leaf Day's nominated charity for 2014, the Greenfingers Rosy Cheeks appeal - the nationwide charity dedicated to building gardens in children's hospices around the UK.

Garden Re-Leaf Day takes place on Friday March 14 and across that weekend. Hundreds of retailers nationwide are expected to run a range of fund-raisers and customer activities as part of the event. Many industry suppliers will also be offering special product and plant promotions to help retailers raise further funds through sales. Since 2012 Garden Re-Leaf Day participants have raised more than £116,000 for the cause, enabling several life-enhancing hospice gardens to be created.

Garden Re-Leaf Day's founder and Hillview Garden Centre ceo Boyd Douglas-Davies said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to David for donating his time for free for this fantastic new competition. We are looking forward to receiving lots of entries and hope the winning retailer has a really successful, well-attended day.

"We're also reminding all garden retailers to register their participation in Garden Re-Leaf Day now, and start planning their activities. It's the epitome of a fun, fund-raising day, that also delivers a real retail benefit."

Entry to the competition closes on Friday February 7 and registration to participate in Garden Re-Leaf Day is open now.