THINGS are coming up roses for a garden machinery firm that has just won a top service award.

Enfield of Maidstone, a specialist company formerly based in Boxley Road, Maidstone, and now operating from Pleasant View Garden Centre in Chart Sutton, has been presented with a Highly Commended certificate in the Service Dealership of the Year Awards.

Around 300 dealers across the country competed for the awards. Enfield was on a shortlist of 19 whose names were posted on a website for customer comment.

The company eventually joined a pruned list of five for the grand final held during the Garden and Leisure Exhibition in the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

The industry awards are sponsored by Hayter and organised by trade magazine Lawn and Garden Equipment.

Enfield's general manager Steve Baker received the certificate from Kim Macfie of Hayter at the presentation ceremony.

Mr Baker said it was their first year in the awards. "Next year, we shall know what to expect, and, fingers crossed, we can build on our experience," he said.

Mr Baker's brother Ray, owner of Pleasant View Garden Centre in Plough Road, Chart Sutton, bought Enfield in spring 2000.