GREEN-fingered Richmondshire residents have come top of the league in the district’s annual gardening competition.

All council tenants 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 before mystery judging began.

The entrants are judged in the five areas of the district – Central, Garrison, Lower Wensleydale, North Richmondshire and Upper Dales – with prizes for each area.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Threlfall, said: “Once again the standard of gardens didn’t disappoint.

“It is wonderful to see the district looking so beautiful through the summer months.

“We had lots of regular winners but there are some new gardens in the prizes this year which is good to see.”

The winners included displays in Reeth, Eppleby, East Witton, Catterick Garrison and Richmond.