THE winners of the annual Pickering in Bloom competition have been announced.

Judging was carried out by Martyn Cooper of RV Roger Nurseries, near Pickering.

The 2013 winners were: Large front garden – Mr D Booth, Middleton Road; Small front garden – Mrs S Leeder, Town End Close; Large back garden – Mr and Mrs Baker, Westgate; Small back garden – Mrs M Sever-Topping, Costa Way; Business premises – Hungate Holiday Cottages, Hungate; Community premises – Quaker Meeting House, Castlegate.

Mr Cooper also highly-commended Mr Holtby of Greenlands Road for his small back garden and awarded his ‘judge’s overall choice of all entries’ to Hungate Holiday Cottages.

Jerry and Barbara Watts, managers of the holiday cottages, said they were delighted to have won the awards.

“Guests at Hungate Cottages are always telling us how wonderful they think the gardens are, and this confirms it,” they said.

Peter Emmerson, chairman of Pickering in Bloom, said: “Myself and vice-chairman, Eileen Blakeley wish to express our thanks to all the entrants and to Mr Cooper for agreeing to judge this year’s competition.”

A presentation evening will be held at the Sun Inn, Westgate, Pickering, in September for all entrants, plus a guest. In addition, to the awards ceremony, the evening will include a raffle, quiz and a buffet.