THERE is a familiar look to this year s winning Royston in Bloom line-up, with all of the 2006 champions repeating their success. Barry Fulton, of Shakespeare, scooped the gold award in the best front garden category. He said: I m amazed to have won for

THERE is a familiar look to this year's winning Royston in Bloom line-up, with all of the 2006 champions repeating their success.

Barry Fulton, of Shakespeare, scooped the gold award in the best front garden category.

He said: "I'm amazed to have won for a second year running. This year I went for plenty of colour and variety, and it paid dividends.

"The gauntlet is thrown down, and I'll certainly be going for the hat-trick next year."

It's four wins on the trot for Josephine Cook, of St Mary's Park, in the best container garden section.

She said: "I was particularly proud of my pink and gold lilies, they're looking beautiful.

"It's important to have a real array of plants in a container garden, and of course to have a variety of colours and textures."

Tannery Drift School has been awarded a silver gilt in the best young persons' project section.

The school runs a lunchtime gardening club for Year 3 and Year 4 pupils, while reception and nursery children also get involved.

Teacher Lyn Simons said: "The early years children plant flowers and vegetables as part of their curriculum in the first term, and the gardening club tries to create different themes for the garden each year.

"This year we have a mini-beasts section which is very popular."

In the best front garden (easy maintenance) category, Mary Hails, of Corvus Close, picked up the gold award.

She claims there is no secret to her success.

"You just have to make sure you do your planting at the right time. It's important with the type of garden I have to get the plants bedded in during the autumn.

The North Star Pub was the winner of the best pub/club/commercial garden.

Landlord Dave Thake said: "We put new window boxes in this year which went down well.

"The garden has been a big hit with the customers, and we've even had other pubs complimenting us.

"It should make a good setting for our beer festival in August."

In the particularly competitive best kept allotment section, Adrian Turrell was once again victorious, grabbing the gold award for the third year running.

He said: "I think the judges like my allotment so much because it's neat and tidy.

"The plants are split into sections and clearly labelled, and I have a cottage garden and lawn where I can sit and have my coffee."

Meanwhile, Downlands picked up the silver gilt award for the best kept street or community area.