THE Institute of Horticulture is searching for an up-and-coming industry expert in a forthcoming competition.
Bosses at the Institute are inviting entries for the Young Horticulturist of the Year contest, now in its eleventh year.
The body has raised the age limit by five years so anyone employed in production, environmental horticulture or studying for a horticulture qualification may enter, as long as they are under 30 on on July 1, 2002.
Competitors will be asked to outperform rivals in a section of multiple choice questions in the local heats.
Those that progress will take on the region's best in the branch finals where a quiz master will ask further questions.
The winners will face the nation's top horticulture brains for a chance of scooping the £1,500 Percy Thrower travel bursary in the final.
Previous winners have visited New Zealand, the Himalayas, the US as well as various European locations.
There will be a host of runners-up and branch finalist prizes for those that come close.
Interested parties should contact Angela Clarke, Institute of Horticulture, 14-15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS or phone/fax 020 7245 6943 or email ioh@horticulture.gov.uk
