GARDENERS who brought a blaze of summer colour to Bishop Auckland streets were honoured in the Civic Society's annual competition.

Bishop Auckland in Bloom had a new judge for its 11th year. David Hirst, from Houghall College, Durham, viewed the 26 entries on July 4. He was joined by council leader Councillor Olive Brown for a trophy presentation in the town hall on Tuesday night.

Competition organiser Joan Gaskins said Mr Hirst had been impressed by the standard of entries for the event.

Results: Overall Winner, Mr and Mrs D Chapman, Watling Road; Front Garden: 1 Joan Matthews, 2 Mr C L Shaw, Cockton Hill Road, 3 Windsor Court Residents; Back Garden: 1 Mr and Mrs Chapman, 2 Mrs S Hutchinson, East Green, West Auckland, 3 Mr N C Kirkley, St Andrew's Road; Yard: Mr and Mrs T Wager, Escomb Road, 2 Mr and Mrs Stanton, Grey Street, 3 Mrs I McLeavey, Beech Road; Allotments: 1 Mr M Hutchfield, Fleet Street, 2 Mr J Nicholson, St Andrew's Road, 3 Mr P C Nesbitt, Woodlands Road; Business Premises: 1 Chittock's, Newgate Street, 2 Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 3 Wilson and Vest, Romanway Industrial Estate.