A LEADING company has, once again, stepped in to help fund Southend's entry into the Hampton Court Flower Show.

KeyMed, based in Stock Road, Southend, hands out thousands of pounds to charities and community groups and is well-known for funding road safety projects across the borough.

The company has now agreed to contribute towards the cost of the Miller's Garden, a floral exhibit which includes a turning water wheel.

The firm declined to say how much they would give towards the exhibit, but said it was a significant sum.

The council's parks technical officer, Paul Jenkinson, said: "We are thrilled KeyMed is helping us out in this way.

"Already the firm is helping brighten our borough by supporting the Southend in Bloom contest. Now, sponsoring our entry to the Hampton Court Flower Show will give us a huge extra boost.

"Last year was the first time we went to Hampton Court Flower Show and we won a gold medal and the best in show title, so we've got a great deal to live up to.

Mike Batty, head of group facilities for KeyMed, said: "Southend has a great tradition of floral displays and having done so well at Hampton Court last year, we felt the parks team deserved further encouragement to continue its excellent work for the pleasure of both residents and visitors.

"We were therefore pleased to provide the sponsorship as part of our Support of the Community programme."

Residents will be able to see the partly-built Miller's Garden exhibit at the Parks Nursery spring open day on Saturday and Sunday May 19 and 20 from 10am to 4pm.

The nursery is in Wakering Road, Southend, behind the Rose Inn in Great Wakering.

The show takes place from June 3 to 8 at Hampton Court Palace.