THE winners of this year's Pickering in Bloom competition have been announced.

The competition, which takes place every two years, judges the town's green spaces in a large array of categories, including residential gardens, patios and window boxes, business premises, and community gardens.

Ahead of the contest, organisers had appealed to gardeners to make the town a "riot of colour", particularly to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday year.

The winners in the various categories were as follows:

Large front garden - J Kavanagh/C Hallyburton - Goslipgate; Large back garden - Dr & Mrs KL Cogbill - Ruffa Lane; Small front garden - Mrs M Dale - Crossgates Lane; Small back garden - Mrs M Sever-Topping - Costa Way; Patio/Window boxes - Ms J Hall - Eastgate; Community Garden - Quaker Meeting House - Castlegate; Business/Commercial - Hungate Cottages - Recreation Road; Norman Hunter Cup - Mr G Turnbull - Keld Close; Overall Winner - Mr & Mrs B Reed - Eastfield Road.

Eileen Blakeley, chairman of Pickering in Bloom, said: "The bi-annual Town Bloom competition attracted a large number of entries and judging by Lesley Tucker was carried out over two days – the first in fine weather and the second in an all day downpour.

"Lesley carried on regardless and was impressed by the standard of the entries in all categories, despite the wind and rain that had raged during the previous week.

"A presentation evening of all awards will be held at the Sun Inn on October 11 and all entrants will be sent details nearer the date."