A PLANT adviser at Monkton Elm Garden Centre has been named a ‘Westland Rising Star’ in a national competition.

Will Michieli was awarded the title at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference as part of Westland Horticulture’s Rising Stars programme.

The 22-year-old, who lives in North Petherton, went up against 11 other candidates before being crowned the winner.

As part of the prize, Will was invited to make a short presentation at the GCA conference to explain what he did, how it helped him and how it improved his garden centre.

He said: “We tightened up on stock control and made sure we had the right product in the right place.

“We worked on the average spend and now understand net profit, and the effect we can have on it. The effect of getting the right plant in the right place at the right time is amazing – it can double or even triple the sales.

“I now realise how vital the personal touch is and how it affects what people spend on the day.”