CELEBRITY gardener Alan Titchmarsh has given three Chelmsford students the chance of a lifetime.

Horticultural pupils Rosie Kippen, Janet Atkinson and Catherine Fairhall-Lewis have all been given roles on his shows, Love Your Garden and Britain’s Best Gardens.

They will be involved in all aspects of the productions, from building gardens to sourcing plants and coming up with unusual ideas that people can replicate at home.

Mr Titchmarsh, who has been Writtle College patron for the past 13 years, said: “Writtle is one of the best horticultural colleges in the country and, as patron, I’m delighted to give these students the chance to experience the exciting world of TV gardening.”

Rosie, 21, and Janet, 44, will be runners on both shows, while Catherine will work as a researcher on Love Your Garden.

Rosie, who recently won the regional final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition, said: “It’s been a fantastic experience so far. This is an area of horticulture I've always had an interest in, but I never imagined I’d ever get the chance to do it.”

The students were chosen for their knowledge of plants and imagination, after production company Spun Gold TV approached the college.