AN eye-catching front garden has won double honours in this year's Bishop Auckland in Bloom competition.

Pensioner Charles Shaw spends hours tending hundreds of plants at his home in Cockton Hill Road.

Even with both his front garden and backyard crammed with containers, he still finds time to grow vegetables at his allotment near the Pollards.

He was crowned champion in the front garden category and overall winner.

The former council building inspector is 80 next week, but is not ready to slow down.

He said: "Gardening is an all-year activity. I buy small plants or plugs and grow them on until they are ready to plant out. I love gardening. I can think of nothing worse than sitting watching the television all day."

The competition was run by Bishop Auckland Civic Society and the winners were announced at a ceremony in Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Other winners were: front garden second place, Windsor Courts, Bishop Auckland; front garden third, Mrs D Lowes; back garden winner, Mr and Mrs G Wales; back garden second: Mrs J Crompton; back garden third, Mr and Mrs Jeff Beaumont; yard winner, Mr and Mrs Wager; yard second, Mrs I McLeavey; yard third, Mr Brian Coatsworth.

Allotment garden winner, Mr G Matthews; allotment garden second, Mr Ray Dougal; allotment garden third, Mr J Nicholson; business/licensed premises winner, Chittocks - Mrs B Shepherd; business/licensed premises second, Trimmers - Jean Wombwell; business/licensed premises third, Wilson and Vest Trophies.