WYEVALE Garden Centres said it was cashing in on the Charlie Dimmock effect as profits blossomed more than 20 per cent.

The Hereford group, which runs the UK's largest chain of garden centres with 120 outlets, believed programmes such as BBC's Groundforce, which stars Ms Dimmock, had boosted the popularity of gardening.

Wyevale was benefiting from a rise in the number of customers across its key 35 to 65 age group.

Pre-tax profits for the year to December 31, before exceptional items and goodwill, rose to £16m, compared to £13.2m the year before.

Sales showed good growth, rising 13.9 per cent to £108.5m, despite bad weather in the third quarter. On a like-for-like basis, sales were ahead 7.7 per cent.

Wyevale snapped up its biggest rival, Country Gardens, for £118m in November.

Chief executive Bob Hewitt said the deal meant Wyevale had been able to build on its already dominant position in the garden retail sector.

The 15 highest turnover garden centres within the Country Gardens portfolio were refurbished in January and February, and Mr Hewitt said he expected to see improved sales and profitability from the stores this year