GREAT gardeners from Crow country were recognised at the annual Royston in Bloom awards.

The awards evening took place at the town hall on Thursday, with prizes awarded in a variety of categories.

The winners in each section received their awards from the Mayor of Royston, Councillor Robert Smith and Ray Munden, the president of the Rotary Club of Royston, which sponsored this year’s competition.

Speaking before the awards presentations Les Baker, chairman of the Royston in Bloom committee, said: “As usual this was an opportunity to recognise all the efforts put in by those who had entered the competition.

“As in the past all those who received awards and certificates had excelled in creating some imaginative and outstanding displays,” he said.

He added: “The competition covered all abilities across our community: from pupils at local schools, to gardeners and allotment holders.”

Cllr Smith told the audience in Royston Town Hall that he had been “impressed by the quality” of this year’s entries into east of the categories.

The award winners included a double victory for Tannery Drift first school, whose pupils won the Tom Potter trophy, awarded for the best young persons project, and the Bill Prime trophy which goes to the young person project that makes best use of recycled materials.

Best front garden was given to Jeanette and Bill Hawkins, of Redwing Rise, with Cardinal Gate being named Best Kept Street or Community garden and Chris Wallis receiving the award for best allotment.

In the hotly-contested sunflower competition, the award went to Charlotte Hablin, whose plant grew to 3.40 metres. The others to be recognised were Abbie Everitt (3.21 metres), Gary Oxley (3.05 metres) and Grace and Alice Fishenden (3.04 metres).

For more details of Royston in Bloom, log on to the In Bloom page of the town council website, www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk.