Gardeners have been honoured for their achievements in the Ferryhill in Bloom and Allotment Competition.

This was the third year of the competition and standards are continuing to improve.

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer of Ferryhill Town Council, said: "We've got gardens of such a high standard that the judges have found it very difficult."

Town councillors Doreen Barber and Zena Roddam spend four days judging the competition.

The winners were announced in a ceremony outside the Manor House, which won the best commercial premises award.

The competition was sponsored by Thinford Nurseries, which provided the prizes.

Northumbria in Bloom competition judges will be visiting Ferryhill on Thursday.

Results:

Best front garden - 1 E Ramage, Cleves Court; 2 F Cornbill, Dean Road; 3 T Ranson, Windsor Avenue.

Best back garden - 1 R Barrass, Ramsay Drive; 2 L Hardy, Cavendish Court; 3 Mr Pickering, Dean Road.

Best yard - 1 J Proudfoot, South View; 2 J Pennington, Rennie Street; 3 Gargett, East View.

Best non-residential premises - Brian Newlands, The Manor House, Market Street.

Allotment Competition:

Feversham allotments - Best garden, Mr Richards; most improved, Mrs Armstrong.

Chapel Row - best, C Kelly; most improved, C Kelly.

Mainsforth Row - best, Mrs Harris; most improved, W Ridley.

Storehouse - best, Mr Corfield; most improved, Mr Parkinson.

Paxton Street - best, J Armstrong; most improved, S Cummins.

East End - best, D Metcalfe; most improved, Mr Veitch.

Best overall site - Mainsforth Row.

Best overall plot - Mrs Harris, plot number 1, Mainsforth Row site.