Top prize for mini rainforest

A student at Wolverhampton University has clinched a top prize at the Chelsea Flower Show after combining her studies with a spot of growing.

Phd student Helen Millner, from Stourbridge, won the silver gilt award in the Lifelong Learning Category at the prestigious show.

Mrs Millner produced a mini rainforest display of plants, as well as photographs and posters to illustrate her work.

Her project uncovered the conservation and micro propagation of the orchid Restrepia. As part of her research, she used the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) at the University, which is a means of looking at the surface of small objects such as orchid flowers.

She said: "The judges were really complimentary about the SEM, which I was pleased about as they had really scrutinised the science to make sure everything was correct. There is not a lot known about this orchid group, so it is a conservation project to enable us to conserve them and find out more about their biology."

The director of studies for Mrs Millner's PhD, Dr Timothy Baldwin, said: "She is a wonderful example of a mature PhD student and what can be achieved here."