BUSINESSES have been praised for their efforts to brighten up the centre of Chester-le-Street.

Ten local traders entered the first Chester-le-Street in Bloom Association, held by the town's traders association and the district council.

They decorated their premises with hanging baskets to bring a splash of summer colour to the main shopping area.

Though the national chain stores did not enter, the efforts of the local businesses were applauded by the town's commercial manager Christine Davies.

"It was a decent percentage of small businesses that took part. I would have liked the larger multiples to be involved because they can put on a different type of spread.

"It is the first competition we have held. It is something that will be repeated next year and we hope it will be better. The effort that the shops that entered made was noticed.''

The team of judges included Newcastle landscape architect Alan Capper who has twice won medals at the Chelsea Flower.

The winners were Groomers, the dog grooming salon in Church Chare, who will get a weekend stay at Lumley Castle.

Church's Caf, also in Church Chare, was second and joint third were Wedding Wardrobe, West Lane, and W J O'Brien, the newsagents in North Burns.