GARDENERS keen to try their hand at growing prize chrysanthemums can get a head start this year with cuttings from plants that may already have achieved blooms of national quality.

Members of the Forest of Dean Chrysanthemum Society are offering cuttings free of charge to gardeners who join them this year.

Society chairman Bruce Reed says now is the time for prospective growers to make their move.

Mr Reed, a national champion and judge, says: "If gardeners leave it much later there will be no cuttings left. It will be no good approaching a grower later in the year as all the surplus cuttings will be gone."

At the moment, he says, society members have plenty of spares.

"If you are interested in growing them for show or just for pleasure now is the time to make your move. This month established growers are sorting out their cuttings and selecting the ones they intend to use. This means there are plenty of spares for the new grower to obtain," says Mr Reed.

The society, he said, welcomed new members who would receive free cuttings and plenty of advice free of charge.

•Mr Reed can be contacted on Dean 842700.