EXHIBITORS turned out in force to display their floral talents at a major competition.

Darlington Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society's annual early show saw the Dolphin Centre's Central Hall turned into a blaze of colour.

The number of entries was up on last year and judges said they were impressed with the high quality of exhibits.

Trophy winners were:

The Gardeners Barn Challenge Trophy - Gary Parsons, of Heighington.

The ASE Challenge Trophy - Gary Parsons

The John Chapman Pom Pom Trophy - Gary Parsons.

The Dave Kilcran Trophy - Jimmy Howard, of Newton Aycliffe. The Elsie Greenwood Cup - Jimmy Howard.

The Lady Starmer Glass Tankard - Jimmy Howard.

The F Wade Cup (for the best vase of chrysanthemums) - Jimmy Howard.

The Patricia Jackson Memorial Trophy - Jimmy Howard.

The National Chrysanthemum Society Silver Medal - Jimmy Howard.

The National Chrysanthemum Society Certificate of Merit - Jimmy Howard.

The W V Florentine Cup - Benny Lewellyn, of Darlington.

The Eleanor Hodgson Cup - Benny Lewellyn.

The National Chrysanthemum Society Bronze Medal - Benny Lewellyn.

The Stan Addison Trophy - Dave Kilcran, of Darlington.

The Miss M Rochester Trophy - John Lawson, of Darlington.

The Maureen Watson Trophy - John Lawson.

The Jim Halliday Memorial Cup - Geoff Gardener, of Darlington.

The Society Cup - Brian Anderson, of Heighington.

The R Heward Memorial Cup - Arthur Tate, of Darlington.

The E A Alsop Cup - Brian Duffin, of Newton Aycliffe.

The Sherwood Trophy - Philip Watson, of Bishop Auckland.

The Northern Despatch Cup (for the best vase of dahlias in show) - Philip Watson. The National Dahlia Society Silver Medal - Philip Watson.

The Winifred Hutton Cup - Bob Metters, of Chester-le-Street.

The National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal - Bob Metters.

The Lady Starmer Glass Tankard for the best Dahlias - Steve Salmon, of Darlington.

The Henry Wilson Memorial Cup - Steve Salmon.

The Elm Ridge Gardens Trophy - Steve Salmon.

The Alf Watson Memorial Cup - Steve Salmon.

The Mrs M Miller Trophy - Phil Orley, of Hartlepool.

The A E Lawson Trophy - Christopher Jones.