A TOWN centre neighbourhood launched its own floral contest yesterday.

Householders from terraces in the Gresham area of Middlesbrough, competed for honours in the Gresham in Bloom competition.

They spruced up the front of their homes and back yards to bid for a prize.

Simon Cross from the television series, The Whole Nine Yards, was guest judge, helped by Linda Mole, chairwoman of Gresham Community Council, local district councillor Barry Coppinger and Paul Whitton from competition sponsors, The Expanded Metal Company.

The judges spent the afternoon selecting winners and runners up. The trophies will be awarded at a later date.

Competition organiser and sustainable community project officer Les Broomhead said: "The competition shows that terraced streets can be transformed by some excellent floral planning and that you don't need a large space to make a really good display.

"The judges will have a very difficult job.

"We'll be looking for imagination, flair and creativity and the residents who have taken part have really done their local area proud. They have transformed Gresham."