WINNERS of this year's Stroud District Council Tenants' Garden Competition were awarded their prizes at a ceremony at Ebley Mill.

Almost 70 tenants turned out to see who had picked up coveted awards in one of six classes.

There were also prizes for special achievement, best children's garden, best sheltered scheme and best estate, road or area.

Judging took place over three days in July, with panels consisting of tenants' representatives, councillors, sponsors and council officers.

Cllr John Jeffreys, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "The standard this year was extraordinarily high and it was lovely to speak to tenants about how they designed and care for their gardens.

"I congratulate everyone who entered and thank them for sharing their gardens with us."

This year's winners:

Best floral garden (north): 1st Mrs G Evans, Moseley Road, Cashes Greed 2nd Mrs N Mathias, Sherborne Close, Stonehouse

Best floral garden (south): 1st Mr and Mrs F Sykes, Pitmas Place, Wotton-under-Edge 2nd Mr C Poteet, The Crapen, Cam

Best vegetable garden: 1st Mrs A gobey, Cotswold Gardens, Wotton-under-Edge 2nd Mr D Howell, Springfield, Hardwicke

Best family garden (north): 1st Mr and Mrs W Bonsor, Mankley Road, Leonard Stanley 2nd Mr J Timbrell, Sunnyhill, Cashes Green

Best family garden (south): 1st Mrs A Goode, Box Crescent, Minchinhampton 2ndMrs L Hopkins, Chestnut Park, Kingswood

Best balcony/patio garden (north): 1st Mrs J Wathen, Sherborne House, Stonehouse 2nd (joint) Mrs F Bick, Sherborne House, Stonehouse 2nd (joint) Mrs J Mills, Sherborne House, Stonehouse

Best balcony/patio garden (south): 1st Mrs E Bradford, Glebelands, Cam 2nd Mrs A M Munford, Springfield Court, Dursley

Best small garden (north): 1st Mr and Mrs R Abel, Queens Drive, Sunnyhill, Cashes Green 2nd Mrs E G Hanchet, Ashwell House, Painswick

Best small garden (south): 1st Mrs E Buckingham, Dryleaze Court, Wotton-under-Edge 2nd Mrs S Sandy, Trinity Drive, Minchinhampton

Best alternative garden: 1st Mrs S Winchester and Mrs P Simpson, Ringfield Close, Nailworth 2nd Mr C Poteet, The Crapen, Cam

Best children's garden: 1st Mr N Poole and Mr S Poole, Orchard Road, Ebley 2nd Ms C Hopkins, Chestnut Park, Kingswood 3rd Mr J Westaway, Upper Poole Road, Dursley

Best sheltered scheme: 1st Glebelands, Cam 2nd Hamfallow Court, Newtown, Sharpness

Best estate/road/area: 1st The Crapen, Cam 2nd Berryfield, Woodchester

Prize for special achievement (against the odds): Mr and Mrs Sykes, Pitmans Place, Wotton-under-Edge

Best first time entrant: Mrs E Buckingham, Dryleaze Court, Wotton-under-Edge

Overall winners (north): 1st Mrs G Evans, Moseley Road, Cashes Green 2nd Mr and Mrs W Bonsor, Mankley Road, Leonard Stanley 3rd Mr and Mrs R Abel, Queens Drive, Sunnyhill, Cashes Green

Overall winners (south): 1st Mr and Mrs Sykes, Pitmans Place, Wotton-under-Edge 2nd Mrs E Buckingham, Dryleaze Court, Wotton-under-Edge 3rd Mrs A Gobey, Cotswold Gardens, Wotton-under-Edge