GREEN-fingered Knutsford residents showed that even the smallest of gardens can impress the judges during Knutsford Town Council’s annual front garden competition.

All shapes and sizes of garden were entered into the community contest, which was judged by the Deputy Mayor of Knutsford, Cllr Stewart Gardiner and Christine Skinner representing Knutsford in Bloom.

Cllr Gardiner said: “With a cherry tree in full fruit, beautiful hanging baskets, lighting, bird feeders and baths and a small seating area, we were in complete agreement that Peter Holt’s garden in Middle Walk was the winning entry.”

Peter received a certificate and a gift voucher for a Christmas tree kindly donated by Fryers Garden Centre.

Cllr Gardiner added: “Second place went to Terence and Jean Austin’s garden in Meadow Drive; a beautiful garden with well- tended flowers and a lush green lawn.

“Third place was a tie between two very different front gardens: Jacqui Elliott, whose small but perfectly-formed paved garden on George Street impressed with a variety of potted plants, climbers and a window box and Lorraine Dorset’s beautiful garden on Woodside featured abundant flowering beds and a well-tended lawn.”

The residents of Ella Grove were presented with a Community Garden certificate to acknowledge their maintenance and upkeep of this communal space for the enjoyment of all local residents.

Town Mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy said: "I was delighted to hand out certificates to some worthy winners this weekend and see the gardens they've clearly spent a lot of time nurturing over many months.

“Thanks also to Jonathan Farber for taking photographs of the gardens, across the town, and to Cllr Stewart Gardiner for assisting in judging the competition while I was on holiday.”

Knutsford Town Council looks forward to receiving even more entries for next year’s competition in the summer of 2020.

Pictures by Jonathan Farber