BUSINESSES have been applauded for their efforts to brighten up the centre of Chester-le-Street.

Ten local traders entered the first Chester-le-Street in Bloom, organised by the town's traders' association and the district council.

Traders decorated their premises with hanging baskets to bring a splash of summer colour to the main shopping area.

Though the national chain stores did not enter, the efforts of the local businesses were applauded by the town's commercial manager Christine Davies.

She said: "It was a decent percentage of small businesses that took part. I would have liked the larger multiples to be involved because they can put on a different type of spread.

"It is the first competition that we have held. It is something that will be repeated next year and we hope it will be better.

"The effort that the shops that entered made was noticed."

The winners were Groomers, the dog grooming salon in Church Chare, who won a weekend stay at Lumley Castle.

Church's Caf, also in Church Chare, was second and joint third were Wedding Wardrobe in West Lane, and W J O'Brien, the newsagents in North Burns.