GREEN-FINGERED staff and children at Skipton Parish Church Primary School have walked away with the top prize in the town's gardening competition.

The school was judged best overall entry in the annual competition and was presented with the Phil Witten Award by town mayor, Cllr Martin Emmerson at the ceremony held at Starbucks Cafe.

Judges were full of praise for the school garden, describing it as a “well-filled and varied plot of quality fruit, vegetables and flowers, with evidence of companion planting, set aside, care of wildlife, visual and sensory variety. "

Mention was also made of the vegetables being used in the school kitchen for children's meals, and 'lots of photographic records'.

Skipton in Bloom Vice Chairman Sue Warburton thanked all those who supported the event - Skipton Hire Centre, JACS of Skipton, Skipton Town Council, Yorkshire Housing, Skipton Chamber of Trade, Creative Garden Designs and Twin Locks Garden Centre, Gargrave.

Results:

Best private front garden (Skipton Hire Centre) - silver awards Pat Buckroyd, Rex Geldard , Patricia Mason. Silver Gilt Award - Moira Geldard, Shirley and Jason Taylor, Peter Tomkins. Gold Award and joint runner up - Douglas Cheetham, Julie Wilcock. Gold Award and best front garden -Colin and Hilary Turner.

Best private back garden (Yorkshire Housing) Silver award -Shirley and Jason Taylor. Silver gilt award - Pat Buckroyd,Valerie Mason, Billy Robinson, Sheila Robinson, June Shadenburg. Gold award - Jamesine Cundell Walker, Moira Geldard , Rex Geldard. Gold award and runner up - Colin and Hilary Turner. Gold award and best back garden - Ian Knowles.

Best private courtyard garden (Skipton Town Council) - Silver award - Patricia Mason. SIlver gilt award - Tony George. Gold award and best courtyard garden - June Shadenburg

Best school garden (JACS of Skipton) - Silver award - Ings Community Primary and Nursery School. Silver gilt award - Brooklands Community Special School. Gold award and best school garden - Skipton Parish Church Primary School.

Best business or statutory body display (Skipton Chamber of Trade) - Silver gilt award - Heap Parkinson Homes. Gold award and joint runner up - The Devonshire; Walker Foster. Gold award and best business display - The Three Links Club.

Best allotment in Middletown (Creative Garden Designs) - Bronze award - Trinity Community Group. Silver gilt award - Carol Core. Gold award and runner up - June Shadenburg. Gold award and best allotment - Christine Jackson. Best allotment, Broughton Road (Twin Locks Garden Centre) - Silver gilt award - Frances andTony Bowdin; Rex Geldard. Gold award and joint runner up - Stuart Hart; Billy Robinson. Gold award and best allotment - Ian Knowles. Best overall entry for the Phil Witten Award - Skipton Parish Church Primary School.