Hundreds of new jobs could be created in Lincolnshire after plant growers were awarded a �500,000 government grant.

The money will be used to improve the county's horticultural industry.

The Department of Rural Affairs has awarded the money to a group called Leading the Ornamental Challenge (LOC), which is based in Swineshead near Boston.

The LOC will receive about �100,000 a year over the next five years to help the county's horticultural businesses expand.

It is hoped that up to two hundred jobs will be created in companies that provide flowers and shrubs for garden centres and supermarkets.

The government says the size of the grant reflects the importance of Lincolnshire's horticultural industry to the country.