JUDGES have praised the standard of gardens in this year's Ferryhill in Bloom competition.

There were 46 entries in the competition, which was judged yesterday by town councillors Arthur Denton and Ken Campbell.

It is the first time the competition has been run in this form, with categories for residential garden, residential yard and non-residential.

Judging was based on several criteria - cleanliness, continuity of planting, overall appearance, detail, special features and consideration for wildlife.

Although there were only two entrants in the non residential section, the Greyhound and Manor House pubs, organisers were pleased at the response from the town and hope to make it an annual event.

Alan Grey, projects assistant with Ferryhill Town Council, said: "It's the first time we have had a separate Ferryhill in Bloom in this format.

"We have been encouraged by the number of people who have taken a real interest in their gardens because it brightens the place up and we hope to build on it in the future.

"Some of the gardens were of a very high standard, which made the judging very difficult."