Green end to Chelsea flower show

More than 600 exhibitors took part in this year's Chelsea Flower Show

Leftovers from the 86th Chelsea Flower Show that cannot be recycled are being offered to community groups and charities so they do not go to waste.

Exhibitors have been depositing stones, wood, flowerpots and other items in a yard since the event ended on Saturday.

And from Monday groups will be allowed to pick up the materials by prior arrangement from the west London site.

The Charities Advisory Trust, which is running the "re-use yard", said it meant the items could be put to use.

As a frequent Chelsea visitor myself I've often wondered what happened to all the hardware left after the plant sales ended Joan Ruddock

Trust director Hilary Blume said: "The trust knew these materials could be re-used, so we came up with a simple solution which provides groups like city farms, schools community projects with gardening materials.

"And it's also convenient for exhibitors dismantling their sites."

More than 150,000 people are thought to have attended Chelsea Flower Show which boasts trade fairs, horticultural competitions and a showbiz ball.

Visitors were also treated to a whole host of gardens produced by top designers.

The event is seen by many as the ultimate show in the gardening calendar.

Environment Minister Joan Ruddock, who visited the yard on Monday, said: "The re-use yard reflects people's growing interest in re-use and recycling.

"As a frequent Chelsea visitor myself I've often wondered what happened to all the hardware left after the plant sales ended.

"This is the ideal solution. The scale of Chelsea means lots of communities will benefit."