GARDENING enthusiasts in Worcester have been praised and rewarded for their efforts in making the city a cleaner, greener and more attractive place for residents and tourists.

About 250 people packed into Huntingdon Hall for the annual Worcester in Bloom Awards ceremony where the BBC’s Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift handed out prizes.

Bill Simpson, former principal of Pershore College of Horticulture and competition judge heaped praise on everyone who took part and gave a special mention to the allotment holders whose plots had recovered so well after last year’s summer floods.

“You have to congratulate all the allotment holders, particularly at Perdiswell, for what they have achieved. The standards of the allotments were very high considering the floods last year. There have been quite a lot of young people taking allotments who seem to be interested in growing their own vegetables and living healthily,” he said.

Mr Simpson, who has judged the competition for several years, said he had seen many gardens improve over the years and one entrant took so much care over her lawn she would not allow the judges to stand on it during their visit.

“As regards the gardens, I think they were better than before. I have seen some steady improvements. The gardens are a credit to the owners.

“We are striving to get a cleaner, greener and attractive city for residents and tourist alike and I think Worcester in Bloom is achieving that. We are not just looking at gardens, we are looking at businesses such as pubs and guest houses too.”

Competition organiser Linda Ohlson, who works for the city council parks department, said: “The competition is growing every year. Just going around the gardens this year was such a privilege. Everyone was so enthusiastic and the colours were wonderful.”

A number of entrants repeated their success of last year by winning their category. These included St Martin’s Church; Mick and Jane Siddle, who won the landscape category this year and the overall prize; Linda Patrick; the Mug House and Wyatt Guest House.

PRIZE-WINNERS

SPECIAL AWARDS All round achievement in allotments: Windsor Avenue allotment site.

St Peter’s Garden Centre award: Sarah and Neville Howorth.

PRIZE WINNERS Churches: St Martin’s Church.

Front garden large: Jan Vale.

Front garden small: Mr and Mrs L G Underhill.

Rear garden large: Linda Patrick.

Rear garden small: Jacinth Welling.

Patio: Sarah and Neville Howorth.

Hanging baskets/window boxes: R Bufton.

Landscape garden: Mick and Jane Siddle.

Pub/restaurant: The Mug House, Judith Allen.

Retirement home/nursing home: Noele Court, Mr and Mrs Woodhouse and Mr Prosser.

Business: Henwick Grange, Geoff and Norman Patrick.

Guest house/hotel: Wyatt Guest House, Mr and Mrs P Neale.

Overall winner: Mick and Jane Siddle.

Best full allotment plot: Brian Day.

Best half allotment plot: Ian Roberts.

Best New Tenant full plot: M Townley.

Best new tenant half plot: Joan Tanner.

Best site: Perdiswell, Droitwich Road.