A rival garden centre has spoken out in support of Fulham Palace Garden Centre users' petition to prevent it from being turned into a pet superstore.

The owner of West Six Garden Centre in Ravenscourt Park has written a letter to worried residents who have launched a petition to try to prevent Fulham Palace Garden Centre's lease being sold to Pets at Home by owners, The Prince's Trust.

As revealed by getwestlondon last Wednesday (August 13), the Prince of Wales's charity could be selling its lease to the nation-wide, chain pet store after announcing in March this year they needed to sell the garden centre's lease to focus on supporting disadvantaged young people into jobs.

Last Wednesday under 250 people had signed the petition asking The Prince's Trust to reconsider the sale and by Monday evening nearly 1,500 people had signed it.

Beryl Henderson, owner of rival West Six, told people who signed the petition her and the team would like to 'echo the sentiments of others on this petition and relay how dismayed we are that Fulham Palace Garden Centre is going to be closed'.

She said: " We strongly believe independent garden centres are a positive asset to the local community. Unlike the big chain stores, independent, local garden centres offer people access to good quality plants sourced fairly from specialist UK nurseries, advice from trained horticulturalists, a more interesting selection of plants (and other items), good customer service and an altogether enjoyable experience.

"For many years we have enjoyed a relationship of friendly rivalry with Fulham Palace Garden Centre through a business network established by our trade association.

"Through this network we have built up close connections with a number of the staff at Fulham Palace, many of whom have suffered from a sustained period of uncertainty over the last few months. We pass on our best wishes to them."

Find the petition here.