GREEN-FINGERED neighbours in a village have taken the top slots in an annual gardening competition.

Richmondshire District Council’s contest seeks to find the best gardens, window boxes, tubs, baskets, border and vegetable patches amongst its council tenants.

Residents were given a month to get their plots in top condition before the mystery judging commenced.

The winners were Geoff and Betty Yare, with Elizabeth Rawlin in second place in the Lower Wensleydale area. In the Upper Dales area Graham Frankland from Reeth retained winning form for the fourth year running.

They were judged in the five areas of the district – Central, Garrison, Lower Wensleydale, North Richmondshire and Upper Dales.

The prize winners were: Catterick: First; Mrs K Wakeham from Catterick Village. Second; Mr and Mrs P Collins, Richmond. Third; Mr and Mrs P Johnson, Richmond. Garrison: First, Mr D Brown, Catterick Garrison. Second; Mr and Mrs Clark, Colburn. Third; Mrs V Richardson, Colburn. Lower Wensleydale: First; Mr G and Mrs B Yare, East Witton. Second; Mrs E Rawlin, East Witton. Third; Mr R George, Hunton. North Richmondshire: First; Mrs J Crowe, Newsham. Second; Mrs E Bonderenko, Melsonby. Third; Mr and Mrs G Garvey, Eppleby. Upper Dales: First; Mr G Frankland, Reeth. Second; Mr and Mrs E Turner, Reeth. Third; Mr and Mrs D Bastow, Reeth.