THE best gardeners and allotment holders were rewarded for their efforts by Skipton in Bloom at the town gardening competition awards ceremony.

Hosted by the town's Starbucks cafe in Jerry Croft, winners received their awards from the mayor, Cllr Andrew Rankine and mayoress, Angela Rankine, and chairman of Skipton in Bloom, Robert Heseltine.

The competition, which saw entries to best front and back gardens, both of the town's allotment sites, business premises and schools, was sponsored by Skipton Chamber of Trade, Twin Locks Garden Centre, Gargrave; Skipton Hire Centre, JACS, and Yorkshire Housing.

Results:

Business or statutory body display: Discretionary award and best in category- Craven Court Shopping Centre. Discretionary awards: Holy Trinity Church; The Black Horse; The Devonshire; The Healthier Ewe; The Three Links Club; The Yorkshire Rose; Walker Foster Solicitors.

Broughton Road allotments: Discretionary award and best in category - Billy Robinson. Discretionary awards: Adrian Allen; Simon Brook, Frances and Tony Bowdin; Rex Geldard; Stuart Hart; Ian Knowles; Barry Wilcock.

Middletown Allotments: Discretionary award and best in category - June Shadenburg. Discretionary awards - Carol Core; Ann Holmes; Christine Jackson; Catherine McGettigan; Trinity Community Allotment.

Best private front garden - gold award and best in category - Peter Tomkins. Gold awards - Wendy Thornett; June Shadenburg; Moira Geldard; Maureen and Barry Dawson. Silver awards - Thomas Aldersley; Patricia Mason; Champions Church.

Best private back garden - Gold award and best in category - Ian Knowles. Gold awards - Samantha Bollen; Valerie Mason; Rex Geldard. Silver gilt award - Wendy Thornett; June Shadenburg; Moira Geldard; Maureen and Barry Dawson. Silver awards - Liz Stead; Billy Robinson; Patricia Mason.

Best school garden gold award and best in category -

Skipton Parish Church Primary School.