Kilkenny Florist is Blooming Great

A budding florist from Kilkenny has secured a place in a prestigious national competition. Vinny Yeates battled his way through gruelling heats to get to the finals of the Interflora Florist of the Year competition 2013.

He will now join other top florists from across the UK to fight for the coveted title at the grand final next year. Vinny, who has ambitions to represent the UK and Ireland at the Interflora Europa Cup, will compete at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Cheshire, where the grand final is being held. He will be asked to create a series of unique floral designs under the eyes of the judges and a live audience made up of members of the general public.

Talking about reaching the final stage of the competition Vinny said: 'Getting through the heats was really challenging but now I am very excited to be competing at Tatton Park next year. I hope I do myself and Ireland proud.' Vinny works at Flowers by Lucy, a florist shop on the Kilkenny High Street which has been delivering Interflora flowers in Ireland for more than a decade.