A CHARITY has won a leading gardening competition.

Brighton’s Women’s refuge has been chosen as one of three Winners for Higgidy’s Seeds of Joy competition.

The refuge has received £5,000 to transform their nominated plot into a flourishing vegetable garden.

A spokeswoman from Brighton Women’s refuse said the charity were thrilled to win the competition, particularly during such difficult times.

She said: “We are really grateful and excited about the opportunity to make a vegetable garden to be enjoyed by the women and children at Brighton refuge for years to come.”

TV Horticulturalist, Frances Tophill, who led the search with Higgidy to find the three prize-winning plots, will offer Brighton Women’s Refuge her expert advice and support them in how to best use the money to turn their nominated patch into a vibrant veg garden.

The nationwide initiative, which launched following research that revealing that 10 per cent of families would grow their own veg if they had access to a community garden.

The competition aimed to get the UK enjoying veg more than ever before by growing their own vegetables, and adding a touch of positivity to the planet at the same time.

Camilla Stephens, Co-Founder of Higgidy, said: “We had thousands of votes and it was great to see so many people support their local communities. We’re excited to see what Frances will do with all three plots - watch this space.”