GREEN-FINGERED residents and businesses were rewarded for brightening up their village at an annual floral awards ceremony this week.

Sedgefield Civic Trust held its 27th floral awards night at Sedgefield Parish Hall on Thursday, in partnership with Sedgefield in Bloom.

The top 50 gardeners were invited to the celebration, which recognises individuals who create floral displays which have helped the village win Northumbria in Bloom for 11 years in a row and compete in the national finals eight years running.

More than 2,500 homes and businesses were judged, before Walter Dinning, who has been honoured by the Royal Horticultural Society, selected the winners.

He said: "Sedgefield should be very proud of its achievements."

The overall winners were Tom Kay and Margaret Galley, of Hadleigh Close.

Other winners were:

* George Robinson trophy for best commercial premises: 1 Golden Lion, 2 Dunn Cow, 3 Black Lion.

* Eric Lowes Cup for best house in conservation area: 1 Mr and Mrs Taylor, St Edmund's Terrace, 2 Mr and Mrs Mitchell, Stockton Road, 3 Mr and Mrs Sutherland, East Parade.

* Doris Etherington Cup for best house in north: 1 Mr and Mrs Hall, White House Drive, 2 Mr and Mrs Ralls, White House Drive, 3 Mr and Mrs Daniels, Beech Oval.

* Doris Etherington Cup for best house in south - 1 T Kay and M Galley, Hadleigh Close, Mr and Mrs Allenson, Spring Lane, 3 61 Station Road.

* Edna Gannon Trophy for house on Winterton Park: first - 5 Turnpike Walk, second - 4 Turnpike Walk, third - 19 Winterton Avenue.

* Community Award for street effort: first - Claremont Grove, second - 1 to 6 Eden Drive;

* Margaret Bell Cup for best runner-up: 10 White House Drive.

* Monica Waters Cup for overall runner up: 50 Spring Lane;

* Awards were also presented to Sedgefield Community Hospital, Sibcas and Hardwick Hall Hotel.