An Rutland garden centre and nursery is boosting its online ordering and delivery service as a response to the Coronavirus crisis.

The Welland Vale garden centre and nursery at Glaston Road, Uppingham, is now encouraging orders through its internet webshop, or by telephone, Facebook and Whatsapp.

Free delivery within 20 miles is promised on orders of £25 and above.

Director Annie Burns told Oakham Nub News that the Coronavirus crisis had delivered much uncertainty with talk of impending closures of facilities and older people facing the prospect of having to be isolated in their homes.

"We are about to come into our harvest season. It's our biggest time of the year. We need to make sure we have to keep people employed."

Annie says that though gardening is becoming more popular with younger people, elderly people aged over 70 make up many of their customers.

"If they are having to be self-isolated, if they are limiting their movement, most people on a sunny day like this would want to go into their garden and do something. We can deliver the products to enable them to do that."

"My partner Charlie and I, who run the business, have our van. Myself and other members of staff are prepared to deliver. We already go out and about daily. We also deliver furniture and water features.

"We have also put more of our current plant stock online for people to see. We grow our own bedding plants. Ninety per cent of our stock is grown on site. We are not buying in huge quantities so there should always be a good available supply and it will help keep people employed."

To order by phone, ring 01572-822729 or 07918 729538 or email at [email protected] or [email protected] .

Advice on limiting your risk to coronavirus can be found here.