WHEN Eric Cowan moved to Colchester in the 1930s, little did he know his seed-growing apprenticeship would lead to him establishing a family business that is still going strong.

This month, Poplar Nurseries, in Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, will be celebrating its 70th anniversary with a line-up of events and promotions at the centre, starting with a lunch for businesses that have helped the family firm grow over the years.

Matthew Cowan, Eric's grandson, is manager at Poplar Nurseries, and his father, Martin, is now owner.

Matthew Cowan said the business has grown considerably in the last seven or eight years.

"My grandfather came from Nottingham to do an apprenticeship in seed growing, and when he married my grandmother, Amy, a farmer's daughter, her parents gave them three acres of land as a wedding present, which they used as the old nursery. He was a grower then, and sold only to trade. Since 1981, we have been selling directly to the public," said Mr Cowan.

Mr Cowan, 37, who joined the family business ten years ago, said turnover has more than doubled in the last seven years, and along with financial growth the number of employees has grown too.

"When I was a child, the business only had a couple of members of staff, now we have a team of 50 devoted staff. They are our biggest asset," he said.