A town’s horticultural talent flowered last night (Wednesday) at a ceremony recognising their green-fingered work.

Gardeners from across Stevenage and the surrounding area, who had been whittled down by judges to a final shortlist, dug for victory at the annual Stevenage In Bloom awards at the Cromwell Hotel.

With categories ranging from gardens to allotments to best school projects, a packed audience waited in anticipation of the results.

And the winners were…

Community Project: Steve Nicholson, Archer Road (sponsored by Stevenage Community Trust)

Back Garden: Carole Bates, Broad Oak Way (Stevenage Borough Council)

Front Garden: Margaret Lowery, Canterbury Way (Andre Etienne Carpet and Floor Covering)

Allotment: Paul Tribe, Signal Close (Ramada Hotels)

School Garden: Lonsdale School (W J Rowe Fish and Chips)

Village Project: Knebworth Primary School (ARCH Plant Centre)

Stevenage In Bloom Forum member and chairman of the Stevenage Allotment Association, John Thurgood, said: “The standard has been very high. It’s been lovely to see the school children and the schools – it is encouraging the growers of the future.”

But he added that there was always room for more entrants next year: “Some groups are not very well represented and we need to encourage more and more people,” he said.