BURY is truly blooming with the number of entries doubling for Bury Council's ninth annual gardening contest.

Judges say their task is more difficult every year, as more amateur gardeners show off their expertise, which often puts the efforts of professionals in the shade.

The event encourages residents, schools and businesses to compete on friendly terms and help brighten up the borough. Anyone can enter, and the next competition will be run from June 2006.

Yvonne and David Moore won the household back garden section at the first time of trying. "It was very short notice, we only had three days to tidy everything up," said Mrs Moore. "We'll be more prepared next year to win again! We're both keen gardeners and, although it has been ten years since our retirement, we still do all the work ourselves. We have built a summer house and bridge, so it's a bit different."

Christ Church school in Ainsworth. won the school environment project. They decided to enter after holding an environment day in June, when the grounds were completely overhauled by pupils and staff. New plants and shrubs, donated by residents and companies, were planted; a willow dome was repaired and a wild flower garden created.

The winners were presented with their prizes at Bury Town Hall by Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor Steve Treadgold and his wife Jean.

Mr Mike Bent, the council's parks and open spaces officer, said: "This competition has gone from strength to strength with this year being the best ever and the standard of gardens extremely high. It's amazing the level of creativity that goes on in these gardens and it was an honour to visit and meet these enthusiastic gardeners. Well done to everyone who entered as well as a 'thank you' because this kind of work is helping to make the borough cleaner, safer and greener."

The winners

Household front garden: 1st, Eddie and Irene Kelly of Settle Close, Lowercroft; 2nd, Mr and Mrs E. Finch, Whitecroft Drive, Lowercroft; 3rd, Judith Beaton, Cockey Moor Road, Ainsworth.

Household back garden: 1st, David and Yvonne Moore, Hey Croft, Whitefield; 2nd, Mrs Margaret Orr, Melton Drive, Hollins; joint 3rd, Mrs Evelyn Sherratt, Brierfield Drive, Bury and Miss Joanne Corcoran, Patterdale Place, Bury; joint 4th, Mr and Mrs Cain, Bankhouse Road, Brandlesholme and Ms B. Hughes, Hall Street, Bury.

Back yard, balcony, small patio: 1st, Mrs ONeill, Holcombe Road, Greenmount; 2nd, Iain Peacock, Bedford Street, Prestwich; 3rd Mrs Karen Dobbs, Princess Parade, Bury; 4th, Mrs Ruth Le Vasseur, St Thomas Street, Radcliffe.

Large trade, industrial, commercial premises, public houses: Mel Green of Auto Rescue, Stubbins Lane, Ramsbottom.

School environment projects: David Gerrard, headteacher of Christ Church CE Primary School, Ainsworth.

Community garden projects: 1st, 12-22 Townfield Close, Bury; 2nd, Sarah Webster, Deal Street Community Garden, Bury; 3rd, Jeanie Linden-Bardsley, South Cross Street Community Library, Bury.

The Bury Times Trophy: Parkside Avenue Residents Association for their work and support in Close Park and the surrounding area.