GREEN-FINGERED residents and businesses across Knutsford have been recognised for their horticultural skills in the annual Knutsford in Bloom awards.

Each year people throughout Knutsford set up their most impressive floral displays to be judged by the Knutsford in Bloom team and are awarded national garden centre gift vouchers for their efforts.

The competition took a different format this year, with people sending in nominations of friends and neighbours gardens, which were then shortlisted by the Knutsford in Bloom committee.

In addition, the team went around the town, armed with cameras, to take photographs of other displays.

“Our business community has gone above and beyond again this year,” said Cllr Yvonne Bancroft, chairman of Knutsford in Bloom. “As chair I would like to thank each and every one who took the trouble to make an extra special effort, whether it was a hanging basket, window box or the superb special floral displays over the Tatton Show week.

“So many people have commented on how lovely Knutsford looks every year. I think we should all be very proud of our efforts. Well done and thank you to everyone for taking part.”

According to Cllr Bancroft there was a ‘high number of lovely gardens’ nominated which would not have fit into a morning of judging, so members of Knutsford in Bloom sifted through all of the photographs to compile their top 10 front gardens to be visited by the judges.

The final top 10 gardens were visited and judged by; Mayor of Knutsford Cllr Jan Nicholson, ANSA Grounds north team leader Doug Christie and Knutsford in Bloom deputy chair Mary Johnson, with Cllr Nicholson and Cllr Bancroft handing out the vouchers to the winning participants.

Yvonne added: “The gardens were of a diverse and high standard. However, the judges all agreed the winning gardens made a huge floral impact on their street.”

“In the afternoon the judges set off to judge the town’s business community efforts, which are always of an excellent standard and make Knutsford look so inviting year round.”

This year’s winners were:

Hanging Baskets

1st prize: Arthur Lee, Toft Road

2nd prize: Gerald’s of Knutsford, Princess Street

3rd prize: Shamoli, King Street

Small Business Displays

1st prize: Nicholas Austen, King Street

2nd prize: King Barbers, Minshull Street

3rd prize: Gareth West, King Street

Large Business Displays

1st prize: Courtyard Coffee House, King Street

2nd prize: Hague Lambert, King Street

3rd prize: Nxtep, King Street

Pubs and Inns Displays

1st prize: The Old Sessions House, Princess Street

2nd prize: The Lord Eldon, Tatton Street

3rd prize: The White Bear, Canute Place

RHS Tatton Flower Show Displays

1st prize: Gusto, King Street

2nd prize: Zapatos, Regent Street

3rd prize: Claire & Illingworth, King Street