FLORIST Kate Bainbridge is hoping her skills will make her a racing certainty for a leading title next week.

The owner of Simply Flowers, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey, is again pitting herself against the cream of the country's florists in the Royal Horticultural Society's Florist of the Year competition at the internationally-renowned Chelsea Flower Show.

The brief: A Day at the Races, to design and make a jockey's silk, two-thirds of which must be of fresh flowers or plant material.

'I wasn't expecting that. But after some research a plan has emerged and I have been busy working on the base layer – thanks mum,' Kate said this week.

A silver gilt medal holder after last year's competition, Kate hopes to go one better this time despite it meaning more pressure.

She entered the heat, held in Bath, in October for which she had to construct 'A Bridal design for a wedding at the Swedish Ice Hotel.'

Kate said: 'I was still convinced I wouldn't get anywhere but I was placed first with 93 points out of 100.'

Kate will travel to London on Monday and spend a couple of days finishing her design.

She has two hours on Wednesday evening to set it up before overnight judging and a Thursday announcement of the winner.

She said: 'I'm really looking forward to being at Chelsea again. I'm very lucky to do it all again.

'There is definitely more stress the second time around.'