Amanda Bithell, winner for Best Hanging Basket

GREEN-fingered individuals showed off their gardening expertise in the annual Bolton in Bloom contest.

And hundreds of people entered the hotly-contended competition organised by the BEN in conjunction with Bolton Council and Barton Grange Garden Centres, and proved Bolton people take a pride in their surroundings.

The judges were faced with a tricky task but chose five overall winners.

Prize for the Best Pub went to The Three Pigeons in Wigan Road where manager Ed Loftus and his manageress wife, Jill, have worked hard to create a colourful impression for their regulars.

Ed said: "It's fantastic news - we're really pleased. We won a couple of years ago as well so we're made up to win again.''

The couple have decorated the outside of the pub with hanging baskets, window boxes and troughs full of flowers.

Mrs Barbara Crawford, of George Street, Westhoughton, was equally over the moon to have scooped the Best Back Yard award.

She has already won the prize twice and works hard to keep her yard full of colour.

Barbara, who suffers from arthritis, said: "I keep most plants in tubs so I can alter the design of the garden easily.

"I pack as much as I can into the yard and have a little pond which has attracted a frog, lots of fuchsias, candles and a pebble fountain.''

The prize for the Best Large Garden was won by husband and wife team, Ron and Enid Latham, who have been keen gardeners for many years.

The couple, of Crescent Road, Great Lever, have worked hard on their garden which includes a well, a pond full of frogs, fountain, antique street lamp, dovecote and plenty of hanging baskets.

Ron said: "My wife spends all her time in the garden and is especially pleased to have won because her father won three times on the trot.

"Her father was missing in action for some time during the Second World War and when he came back he dedicated himself to gardening.''

Harry Hilton is no stranger to Bolton in Bloom having won it three times, but his Oriental theme helped him impress the judges this year and he scooped the prize for Best Small Garden.

His garden includes a water feature, rock garden, pond, Japanese trees, ornaments and lanterns.

Harry, of Factory Hill, Horwich, said: "It's an all year round garden and I really enjoy working on it.

"The garden looks good now the Japanese trees have got to a certain height. I like to change the garden slightly every year.''

Amanda Bithell, of Wayfaring, Westhoughton, won first prize in the Best Hanging Basket category and is busy gardening all year round.

She said: "It's the fourth time I've entered.

"I'm always busy gardening but it's lucky the judges came before all the rain we've had recently.

"I put a real mixture of plants and flowers in the basket this year with plenty of fuchsias.''