TWO horticultural students from Basingstoke are part of a team creating a special garden for this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Finn Wilcock and George Stone will help set up The Hop Cycle at the famous event, to tell the historic story of the hop.

The pair are part of a team of 14 from Sparsholt College, who have teamed up with Wadworth Brewery for this year's display.

As part of this partnership, Wadworth Brewery's award-winning shire horses, Max and Monty, visited the college to deliver some barrels which will feature in the garden.

Roy Townson, a member of the Sparsholt team, who are all studying an extended diploma in horticulture, said: "Although the college has an equine centre and we're very used to seeing horses, I think it's fair to say we have never seen anything at the horticultural department like the spectacle of Monty and Max.

"With their manes plaited, pulling the Wadworth dray, they looked stunning. It's also great to take delivery of the barrels so we can continue working on our garden for this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show."

The barrels will provide a focal point for the garden which will explain what the hop is used for in two garden areas - one planted with species that make or flavour drinks and the other a pub garden to relax and enjoy the drinks in.

It will include an iconic pub sign, designed by one of the students and recreated by Wadworth Sign Shop Team, which is one of the only in-house sign writing studios left in the UK.

The garden, planned, designed and created by the Sparsholt students, will feature in the RHS Discovery section at the flower show, which opens on May 19.

The team follows a long line of medal winning Sparsholt students who have exhibited at the show achieving six Gold, three Silver-gilt, four Silver and three Bronze medals since 1998.

Chris Bird the horticulture lecturer leading the student gardeners, said: “Wadworth’s sponsorship of our exhibit this year has inspired focus on the horticultural and social history of the hop and has given us the context for a really stunning garden showcasing the talents of our young and ambitious students."