GREEN-FINGERED people have been given more time to spruce up their gardens in an annual competition.

Darlington in Bloom has extended the deadline until Friday, July 3, across its range of categories.

Gardeners can put in entries for town and rural gardens, yards, public houses and communal gardens.

Entries have been invited from gardeners. Residents can also nominate gardens they feel deserving to win.

Gardens will be viewed by the judges by appointment in July and August. Winners will be invited to an awards evening in October.

The overall winner receive a £75 voucher for the council's Nubeck Nursery, with category winners receiving £50 of vouchers.

Councillor Andy Scott, cabinet member for communities and engagement, said: "Darlington in Bloom is an ideal way to get recognition for the hard work involved in creating and maintaining a garden.

"It is a great way for the whole community to become involved in making the borough a much brighter place to live and work in.

"We have decided to give more people the chance to enter and so have extended the deadline, even though entry levels have already passed last year's total of almost 30.

"I urge everyone to take advantage of this and either enter for themselves or nominate someone they know."

For entries, contact 01325-388777 or e-mail streetscene@darlington.gov.uk by Friday, July 3.