THE winners of an annual gardening competition have been announced.

The overall winner of the Broadacres housing association's annual gardening competition was Eve Gill, of Central Way, Great Ayton.

Mrs Gill was presented with the Broadacres Cup and £100 prize money at Broadacres, the head office of Broadacres Housing Association, in Northallerton.

She said: "I didn't expect to win. I've been at the house for three years and being a widower, gardening was the first hobby I took up."

The weather held out in July for judges from Scarborough, Easingwold, Thirsk and Great Ayton to inspect the gardens.

Broadacres spokeswoman Janet Mazurk said: "Over the years, the difficulty of judging such a high standard has been quite a challenge.

"We have introduced the Broadacres Cup for that one special entry which leaves no doubt in your mind when you first walk through the gate."

The winner of the best front garden, Roy Smith, of Topcliffe, and the winner of the best back garden, June Eckersley, of Borrowby, received £100 each.