GARDENER Joan Kemp-Ambler completed a hat-trick yesterday when she won her town's garden competition for the third year in a row.

She was awarded a trophy and £50 after the judge, Steve Robinson, of Darlington, was impressed once more by the lawns and flower beds at her home in Wellington Road, Barnard Castle.

Mr Robinson said that the overall standard in the town was the highest in the seven years since the contest started.

Mrs Kemp-Ambler, whose husband Bob is a retired prison officer, said: "I was not pleased with my garden last year, even though I won, because I felt the poor weather made the standard lower than usual.

"But this time the warm sunshine made it much easier for me. It only needed a little bit of watering now and again to make the grass and flowers look perfect."

Mrs Kemp-Ambler will join other winners when prizes are presented by Barnard Castle Mayor, Councillor John Yarker, on Monday, September 5.

Second prize went to Bill and Barbara Fletcher, of Dickens Road, and third prize went to Tony Barmby, of Queen Street.

Highly commended were Mr and Mrs J Stobbs, of Marwood Drive, Mr and Mrs D Metcalf, of North View, and Mrs M Nelson, of Birch Road.

Other winners were:

Small gardens and patios: 1, Ken and Edith Tuck, of Bede Road; 2, Mr and Mrs L Everitt, of North Field; 3, Residents of Farmers Way. Highly commended were Mr and Mrs B Thompson, of Queen Street, and Mrs K Murrell, of Bridgegate.

Business winners were: 1, Red Well Inn; 2, Valentine's Restaurant; 3, Cricketers Arms.

Baskets and tubs: 1, Post Office, Galgate; 2, Mrs E Jenkinson, Raby Avenue; 3, Mrs R Makepeace, of Watson Court. Highly commended were: Maxwells Hardware, Dorant's Garage, Mrs C Langstaff, of Watson Court, and Mr and Mrs T Nunn, of Watson Court.