Williams F1 team to be hailed at Chelsea Flower Show

The topiary F1 car will form the basis of the exhibit celebrating Williams' history

An Essex horticultural firm has teamed up with a Formula One team to exhibit at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

King & Co, based in Rayne, will celebrate the 35-year history of the Williams F1 team with a life-size topiary car and pit crew display.

Williams will provide several car parts to incorporate into the design.

Since its inception in 1977, Williams has won 16 world titles with drivers including Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet and Alan Jones.

King & Co, which have exhibited at the show for several years, devised the Grand Prix theme before approaching a number of F1 teams.

Owner Paul King, a long-time motor racing fan said he had been a supporter of the Williams team since its early days in the late 1970s.

'Fairly spectacular'

He said the Oxfordshire team were "the perfect fit because they were very keen to do it".

Mr King explained one of the team's graphic designers will create the backdrop to the stand depicting its 35 year history and entitled The Williams Story.

He said: "We'll also have parts to bolt on, such as steering wheels and hopefully some helmets, either Nigel Mansell's or Nelson Piquet's or someone like that.

The team won its first world titles with Alan Jones in 1980

"We'll have diffuser parts and inserts for the wheels. They'll be lots and lots of things so when you're actually looking at it you can't tell whether it's real or a plant.

"It's going to be fairly spectacular."

It has taken three years to get the topiary F1 car to its current stage and is now in a tunnel to advance its growth in time for the exhibition.

Team founder, Sir Frank Williams, said the Chelsea Flower Show was an "uniquely British occasion that has stood the test of time".

"To be taking part in an exhibition in such an iconic show is a great honour," he said.

"I hope the public find our contribution both unique and entertaining."

The display will be in the Great Pavilion on stand GPH/1 at the show between 22 and 26 May.