A team of rose specialists from Norfolk hope to win gold at this year's Chelsea Flower Show with a touching display of its brand-new flower.

Peter Beales Roses, based in Attleborough, has created a new variant named Rosa 'With Courage' to celebrate the RNLI's 200th birthday.

At the flower show, thousands of the roses will be positioned around a genuine RNLI rib boat.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Ian Limmer, head of the nursery and plant breeding programme at Peter Beales RosesIan Limmer, head of the nursery and plant breeding programme at Peter Beales Roses (Image: Newsquest)The new rose has several layers, creating a range of orange, peach and yellow hues, and is said to smell of sweet apples.

For Ian Limmer, head of the nursery and plant breeding programme at Peter Beales Roses, the launch of the rose is personal because his grandfather volunteered for the RNLI for 30 years and saved more than 160 lives.

“In my mind, the colour of the rose reflects the orange of the RNLI’s boats while the yellow is reminiscent of the colour of the uniform," he said. 

"Gardeners who grow the rose will be supporting the RNLI and its flowers will be a constant reminder in the garden of the life-saving work volunteers do.

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"The RNLI's 200th anniversary is a testament to their unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.

"It is an immense honour to stand alongside one of the UK's oldest charities as partners during this historic milestone and we feel truly blessed that, of all the exhibitors at RHS Chelsea, the RNLI chose us to partner with."

Peter Beales Roses hopes to win its 39th RHS Chelsea gold medal for the display at this year's show, which will run from May 21 to May 25 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

A limited number of the roses will be available to buy for £26.95 for bare-root and £31.95 in containers.

Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the RNLI.