SOME of Darlington's top gardeners gathered to show off their best blooms yesterday.

The annual Darlington Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society Show was held at St Cuthbert's Church Hall, in the town's Market Square.

Hundreds of flowers were on show and on sale to visitors.

Among the prizewinners was Jim Howard, from Newton Aycliffe, who took the best vase in show prize. He has won a huge number of gardening titles and is a champion leek grower.

The show got an additional boost from the Orange Darlington Festival, with activities in the town centre attracting extra visitors to the church hall.