MINSTERS Restaurant took the first prize in Sedgefield Civic Trust's annual floral competition, which is open to all village gardens viewable from road or pathway.

They will receive the George Robinson Trophy for commercial properties at a presentation evening in Sedgefield Parish Hall on Friday, September 8. Runners-up were the Golden Lion Inn and the Dun Cow Inn.

In the category for private properties within the conservation area, the Doris Etherington Cup was won by Mr and Mrs L Mitchell, of Stockton Road. Runners up were Mr and Mrs C Taylor, of St Edmund's Terrace, and Mrs F Tee, of Front Street.

Category for private dwellings Northern Section (Monica Cunningham Cup) was won by Mr and Mrs A Hall, of Whitehouse Drive, and runners up were Mr and Mrs J Storey (Rowan 0val); and Mrs M Smith, of The Lane. Highly commended were Mr and Mrs H Walls, of Whitehouse Drive.

Category private properties southern section was won by Mrs M Galley, of Hadleigh Close (Monica Waters Cup).

Runners up were Mr and Mrs H Allenson, of Spring Lane, and Mr and Mrs E W Yetman, of Eden Drive. Highly commended were Mrs G English, of Claremount Grove; Mr S Smith, of Cragside; Mr and Mrs R W Cooper; of Eden Drive; Mr and Mrs G Mann, of Eden Drive; Mr and Mrs S Cooksley, of Melgrove Way and Mr and Mrs L Hartgrove, of Station Rd.

Winners of the Eric Lowes Cup for best private runner-up not being a trophy winner in previous four years, and the Margaret Bell Cup for best highly commended property not being a trophy winner in previous four years will be announced at the prize-giving.