If you can't afford a castle, why not try a rose?

What a beauty - mayor Dr Chris and Elizabeth Hall with Roger Pawsey admire the new Cant's rose, which has been named Colchester Castle. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (36385-3)

Colchester Castle - the floral one - is being officially launched by rose specialists Cant's.

The rose will be toasted by town mayor Chris Hall tomorrow night as he marks the end of his year in office.

The evening at Cant's rose garden, including a talk on roses, will be Dr Hall's last charity event.

Cant's was asked to come up with a name for a rose it has been growing for Poulsen Roses of Denmark.

Roger Pawsey, managing director of the Mile End company, said: "Poulsen has a 'castles' series of roses, and they asked us to suggest a name."

The company likes to keep close ties with its home town, so naturally there was only one choice -Colchester Castle.

Luckily Poulsen was happy with the name, so the Colchester Castle rose will be available soon.

Mr Pawsey said the rose was a golden-orange coloured floribunda.

Mayor Dr Hall said: "Colchester Castle is a jewel in the town's crown and I hope this rose will be just as successful as the castle itself."

Published Thursday June 17, 2004

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