A TEMPERATURE controlled distribution company has swapped frozen food for foliage after taking on an unusual assignment this week.

Boroughbridge-based Reed Boardall, which stores and delivers frozen foods to supermarkets, is transporting 300 plants for a specialist nursery in Ripon which is going for gold at Chelsea.

Family-run Drointon Nurseries is entering RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the second consecutive year having won a silver medal last year.

Nursery owner Robin Graham said: "The hot spell of weather last May meant that our plants were looking rather stressed by the time they reached the judging and we felt that this cost us the gold medal.

"This year, we decided we would only enter if we could be confident that the plants would not suffer on the long journey from Ripon.

"Knowing that one of the UK’s leading chilled distribution businesses was just down the road, we decided to see if they could help us."

Reed Boardall has transported 300 auriculas to Chelsea for Drointon Nurseries’ stand in the Great Pavilion.

Howard Gill, managing director of Reed Boardall Transport, added: "Transporting prizewinning auriculas is unusual for us, but the principles remain the same – the plants need to be maintained at their optimum temperate to ensure they reach their destination unspoiled, much like ice-cream or frozen chips.

"With expertise working with the food manufacturers and supermarkets in the UK, we were confident we’d be able to help Robin.

"It’s great to be able to support a local business and fingers crossed that they return with the coveted gold medal."