After a record number of entries, Natural Paving Products (UK) has revealed the winners of its 2015 Approved Landscaping Professionals Awards.

Open to entrants from across the company’s Approved Landscaping Professionals (ALP) scheme, the competition consisted of three categories: Best Patio, Best Driveway and Best Overall Design, with the winner of each category receiving £500. Runners up and highly commended entrants were awarded £250 and £100 respectively.

With a sleek, modern installation using Natural Paving Products’ black slate flagstones, Greenbelt Landscapes won first prize in the Best Patio category. Decol Construction came a close second and three further entrants were highly commended for their work: Garden Creations, A Ward Landscapes and Mason & Turner.

Best Driveway went to new ALP members Paving the Way, for their attractive installation using Natural Paving Products’ rustic quartz block paving. Gagajoo Gardens and Landscaping took second place for their expansive and flawless use of the company’s York grey block paving and Kirkstall sandstone coping.

With a colourful and crisp lined design using Natural Paving Products’ Lakeland sandstone, Snapdragon Landscapes won the Best Overall Design category. Greenbelt Landscapes were runners up for their elegant design using Cornsilk sandstone and there were three highly commended entrants: MJM Landscapes, Botanica Garden Design and Vision Landscapes.

Malcolm Gough, business development director at Natural Paving Products, said: “The number and quality of projects entered into this year’s awards were beyond our expectations. We are extremely proud to see our products being used in so many amazing designs and we would like to congratulate all of our winners and thank everyone who entered. Our plan for next year’s awards is to introduce additional categories to recognise even more skill sets and types of project.”

In addition to the new categories, Natural Paving Products will be opening its training academy in 2016. Designed to help landscapers and merchants develop their knowledge and practical skills, the training academy will run a variety of courses for professionals at all levels.