Budding florists seek top UK title.

TWO students are battling to be named best florist in the UK.

The two Welsh College of Horticulture students have made it through to the final round of the UK Skills Floristry competition, where they will battle it out against other trainee florists in a bid to be named 'Best in the UK'.

Amanda Griffiths, 48, of Wrexham, and Amy Doyle, 21, of Kinmel Bay have already been acknowledged as two of the hottest up-and-coming talents in the country having battled it out against hundreds of other trainee florists across the UK to make it to the final.

Amanda has only recently turned her hand to floristry after many years in the financial industry. She recently completed the National Certificate in Floristry at the Welsh College of Horticulture which she enrolled on a year ago after taking part time evening classes in the subject.

She said: "I really enjoyed floristry as a hobby and the evening classes gave me the motivation to pursue training and a career in the field."

Amanda is now employed part time at a local floristry shop and will start the level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Floristry in September. Crowned as the overall winner of the Welsh heats in the UK skills competition, Amanda's new career has begun with a flying start.

Amy had competed in the UK Skills Floristry Competition last year, but fell victim to the tough competition in the regional heats. This year with more experience and training behind her Amy will be standing against the other hopefuls in the final.

The final takes place at the RHS Tatton Flower Show on Wednesday, July 22.