A RESIDENT with a love of gardening has retained his winning spot in an annual competition for the seventh year running.

Graham Frankland, from Reeth, has taken the first prize in Richmondshire District Council’s gardening contest in the Upper Dales category for his “colourful and well-maintained” garden.

The winners were chosen after a mystery judging round.

Council tenants in Richmondshire are encouraged to make their gardens look ‘blooming lovely’ for the competition which looks to find the best gardens, window boxes, tubs, baskets, borders and vegetable patches.

They were given a month to get their plots in top condition ahead of judging.

Winners are selected in the five areas of the district – Central, Garrison, Lower Wensleydale, North Richmondshire and Upper Dales.

The prizewinners are:

Central: 1st - Mrs V Mackey, Richmond; 2nd Mr P Johnson, Richmond; 3rd Mr P Crouch, Catterick

Garrison: 1st Mr D Brown, Catterick Garrison; 2nd Mr and Mrs Clark, Colburn; 3d Mrs J Linley, Colburn,

Lower Wensleydale: 1st Mr G and Mrs B Yare, East Witton: 2nd Mrs E Rawlin, East Witton; 3rd Mrs M C Close & Mr K Thwaites, Leyburn