It was a double celebration for the winner of the first Weymouth and Portland Housing Company gardens competition when he dug his way to victory on his birthday.

Harry Makin, 82, of Granby Close, came first in the complete garden and patio class of the competition.

He said: "It was a nice birthday present, the Mayor came to judge the garden on my birthday and I won.

"The prize-money will probably be used on a mower since our old one is 40 years old."

His wife, Phyllis, 78, said: "I would like to get some new covers for the garden seats which our children gave us on our 50th wedding anniversary."

Councillor Joy Stanley, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, judged the competition. She said: "I had a wonderful day. It was a pleasure to meet the tenants and see the hard work they had put into their gardens."

Fiona Childs, organiser of the competition, which was open to Weymouth and Portland Housing Company tenants, said: "The standard of gardens was incredibly high. We have two categories, complete gardens and patios, and containers, both with first, second and third prizes."

Mr Maurice Gosling of Tillycoombe, Portland, won the container category.