Surbiton Horticultural Society was founded 125 years ago, and was long noted as the best of its kind in Surrey.

Originally it had more than 400 members. Now it has only 28, and the committee has sadly decided it must close.

The society’s president, Ken Sewell, said it was ironic that the dissolution had come at a time when interest in gardening and grow-your-own was higher than for years.

He said: “The main problem has been finding new recruits. We’re an ageing membership, and younger people don’t seem to have the time to get involved.”

Mr Sewell joined the society 40 years ago, when it had 300 to 400 members, met twice a month and put on four annual shows - public ones in April, June and September and a late autumn one for members only.

Mr Sewell said: “We regularly won top awards from the Surrey Federation of Horticultural Societies, and out-pointed all other groups in the county events. We were specially noted for our daffodils.”

Mr Sewell is 77, but still devoted to his garden in Manor Drive, Surbiton and his allotment in King Charles Road.

Chairman Tom Studham, 82, said the society’s remaining funds of about £700 would be divided equally between the Princess Alice Hospice and Born Too Soon, while £200 raised from a recent plant and coffee morning will be given to Kingston Can.

He said: “Our funds have all been raised by local people, and these three charities serve our local community.”