COMPETITION was fierce and the standard higher than ever for this year's Ferryhill Allotment Awards.

The town council has seven allotment sites and 630 plots, so finding a winner was not easy. There was an award for best garden and most improved garden at each site, with each winner getting a certificate, free rent for a year and a £15 voucher from Thinford Nurseries. For the first time there was a prize for the best overall garden and site.

Cyril Varty, from Joseph Patterson Crescent, won individual honours, with Broom the best site.

Mr Varty, who tends his plot with his wife Lilian, said: "It was a big surprise, but I'm very pleased because I spend a lot of time down there."

Winners. Paxton Street: Best Cyril Varty, most improved Joan Armstrong. East End: Best Sid Gaskill, most improved Marion Doughty. Mainsforth Row: Best Linda Harris, most improved William Ridley. Broom: Best Frederick Trotter, most improved George Gargett. Chapel Row: Best Andrew Bain, most improved Brian Fairless. Feversham: Best Sylvia Armstrong, most improved John Wright. Storehouse: Best Donald Simpson. most improved, Dorothy Hackworth.