A COUPLE who are soon to be married have won a Darlington garden competition.

Kath Linskey and Lee Merritt won the first Victoria Embankment front garden competition, organised by the Neighbourhood Watch team.

The couple, who plan to marry on September 7, moved into Victoria Embankment in the spring. Dawn Bickerstaff, co-ordinator of the Victoria Embankment Neighbourhood Watch team, said: "It has been great seeing new colours and gardens emerge. This experience has really demonstrated how the change in one house can enhance the street."

The winners received a clock presented by Insp Bill Bentham, of Darlington police, and Watch liaison officer Jacqui Snowball. They also received a spray of roses from Flowers by Nattrass.