THE gardeners who took part in Wootton Bassett in Bloom 2000 were congratulated at an awards evening in the Woodshaw Inn last week.

The contest was organised by Conservative Association chairman Chris Wannell and his wife Audrey and the judges included North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

The Humphreys Trophy for best container was won by Helen Perry of Hazel End.

Dawn Hacker, of Nore Marsh Road, gained the Midgehall Nurseries Cup for her hanging basket.

The Margaret Levine Memorial Trophy for best Front Garden was awarded jointly to Arthur Harrison of Station Road and F J Matthews of Downs View.

Mrs G Sawyer of Fox Brook and Mr and Mrs M Clark, of Home Ground shared the Town Council Rose Bowl for the best back garden.

The Arkells Brewery trophy for best floral display by a public house was won by The Old Nick and the runners up were The Woodshaw Inn and The Five Bells.

The floral displays at the Civic Centre won the award for best town centre premises and the runners-up were Bassett Garage, The Lemon Grove and Tubbjoys.

Individual runners-up who received certificates were:

Containers: Mr and Mrs M Scarrott, Nore Marsh road.

Hanging baskets: Helen Perry, Mrs G Sawyer

Front garden: Mrs J Wheeler, Mr J Whitehouse, Mr D Iles, Margaret Burton, Mrs W Roberts.

Back garden: Chris Milan, Iris Matthews, John Franklin, Andree Amos (special commendation).

"It's a friendly, community competition," said Mrs Wannell. "The aim is to encourage everyone, whether they have a big garden or just a window box, to help Wootton Bassett to look like a Britain in Bloom town."