DESPITE the difficult summer months with the hot weather and hose-pipe ban, youngster Matthew Riches still managed to grow a 14ft 8in sunflower. And it was tall enough to win him an award in this year s Royston-in-Bloom competition. All entries were given

DESPITE the difficult summer months with the hot weather and hose-pipe ban, youngster Matthew Riches still managed to grow a 14ft 8in sunflower.

And it was tall enough to win him an award in this year's Royston-in-Bloom competition.

All entries were given seeds donated by Country Homes and Gardens in Melbourn - and then went about the business of cultivating the plants.

Matthew received his prize from Alan Restall, chairman of the Royston Greenfingers Club at a Royston-in-Bloom awards evening in Royston Town Hall.

Awards went to all the winners in this year's competition.

Spokesman Angela Louch said the competition was organised to "engender community participation" and a "sense of pride" in the area.

The competition, too, helped improve the appearance of the town.

Cllr Rod Kennedy, chairman of the Royston-in-Bloom committee, said at the time of the competition: "The standard was high and it was good to see so many people making an effort.

"All the gardens looked great and it was a credit to the gardeners."

Roll of honour

Best Kept Front Garden: Barry Fulton, Shakespeare.

Best Container Garden: Josephine Cook, St Mary's Park.

Best Easy Maintenance Garden: Mary Hails, Corvus Close.

Best Pub/Commercial/Retail: The North Star.

Best Kept Allotment: Joint winners - Adrian Turrell and Tony Churchman.

Best Kept Street/Community: Downlands

Tom Potter Trophy for Best Entry of Young Persons Project: Tannery Drift School.