A COUPLE entering an anual garden competition for the firsttime have won top prize.

Ian and Valerie Dawson were the overall winners of Richmond Town Council's garden competition.

The couple only began working on the garden four years ago when they bought their house in Barrack View.

Mrs Dawson said: "We only entered the competition as a bit of fun and we were quite overwhelmed to have won.

"My husband does most of the hard work."

The couple will receive the Pattison Shield at Richmond's fruits ceremony in September.

The King's Head Hotel won the commercial category and the Black Lion pub came first in the public house section.

The Ravensworth Shield went to Mrs A James, who won the caravan park category.