COPPULL residents have proved they are no basket cases when it comes to gardening.

More than 30 green-fingered residents entered two competitions to creating blooming marvellous gardens.

Coppull Parish Council teamed up with Chorley's Birkacre Nurseries to run Best Kept Garden and Best Hanging Basket contests.

Councillor Ken Ball said: "Over the last six years the parish council has strived hard to visually improve the village of Coppull and last year we won the most improved large village in Lancashire award.

"This year we decided to encourage residents to take an active role in improvements.

"The parish council would like to thank all the people who entered the competition, also the many residents in the village who take pride in their gardens and hanging baskets."

Winners of the Best Kept Garden were Derek and Dorothy Price of Dickens Road, who scooped a £75 prize. Mildred and Graham Ashall and Philip and Ann Bromilow, both of Springfield Road North, took second and third place respectively.

Gary and Sue Watkinson, of Coppull's Wagon and Horses pub, were awarded first prize in the Best Hanging Baskets competition. Second prize went to Barbara and Jim Woolwich, of Yew Tree House Farm, with John and Dot Redfearn, of Coppull Moor Road, winning third prize.

The winners were presented with their prizes and certificates by the vice-chairman of the parish council, councillor Nora Ball.