GREEN fingered residents from Alcester wowed the judges of a recent gardening competition.

The South Warwickshire Housing Association held its first gardening competition, with Alcester villagers victorious in five out of six categories.

First prize was scooped in the best communal area category by the residents of 20-24 Colebrook Close, and also in the best-sheltered scheme section for Malt Mill Lane.

Great Alne resident Winifred Jones was judged best in the green prize category for her environmentally-friendly garden in School Close, while second place went to Margaret Bannister of Malt Mill Lane.

Mrs Jones also won third prize in the best baskets or tubs section, while Dennis Jones, of Kingley Avenue, was awarded second prize in the best garden category.

Housing association chairman Michael Culverwell said: "There was a fantastic response to the competition and the standard of the entries was extremely high. It's great to see residents making such and effort with their gardens."

The gardens were judged by the Green Team - a voluntary residents group set up to address environmental issues.

An official awards ceremony was recently held at the association's Stratford-upon-Avon headquarters.