NEWCASTLE United's colours will be blooming in Chelsea next week - and the people behind the garden design will be hoping it travels better than the team this season.

The club's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were shattered by a record of only two victories away from home.

But confidence is high that this exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show, called Football's Coming Home, will be among the honours.

A grant of £5,000 from regional development agency, One NorthEast, helped Landscape Management Services to have its garden design accepted by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Designed by Penny Denoon, of Home Housing Group, in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, the garden is said to be inspired by the fanaticism that follows football in the North-East, and, in particular, Newcastle United.

After the flower show, which runs from Tuesday to Friday next week, it will be recreated at a location in the North-East.