THE winners have been announced for Magna Housing Association’s gardening competition.

Judges praised the enthusiasm and pride shown by the entrants in all five categories of the competition.

The first prize winners were awarded £65 worth of gardening vouchers during a ceremony at Bayeux Court in Dorchester.

The categories were small gardens, large gardens, pots and patio, vegetable garden and communal gardens categories.

Second prize winners received a subscription to Gardeners’ World Magazine for a year and third prize was a family ticket to Abbotsbury sub-tropical gardens.

Frank Wilson judged the contest along with David Downton and John Foot.

Mr Wilson said: “We saw small gardens and large gardens. We saw first attempts and gardens where years of effort had resulted in something truly outstanding.

“Above all, we saw enthusiasm and pride.

“It’s a shame that not every entry can win a prize.”

Prizes were presented by Anne Marie Vincent, vice-chairman for Magna Housing Association.

The judges were taken round all the gardens by the contest’s organiser Jane Fisher, who is administrator to head of housing, and Ken Bodycombe, who is Magna’s community development manager.

Everyone who entered received a goodie bag from Poundbury Gardens, Dorchester.

The bag was topped up with a colourful cyclamen and seeds from Magna and stationery from Magna’s strategic group for residents, Community Conn-ections.

Results round-up

The winner of the John Foot Cup for the best garden overall was Mr and Mrs D Johnson of Fox Meadows in Crewkerne.

Small gardens.1: Mr and Mrs D Johnson, Fox Meadows, Crewkerne; 2: Mr C Norris, Windsor Road, Dorchester; 3: Mrs E Wood, Noake Road, Sherborne.

Large gardens. 1: Ms J Turner and Mr Hawkins, Twinways, Melplash; 2: Mrs C Lee, Pilsdon Close, Beaminster; 3: Mr and Mrs G Stantiford.

Pots and patio. 1: Mr and Mrs R Cox, Queens Road, Bradford Abbas; 2: Mr and Mrs J Thomson, Harbour Road, Sherborne; 3: Mrs B Knobbs, Half Acres, Sherborne.

Vegetable garden: 1: Mr K Davis, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester; 2: Mr and Mrs G Mills, Higher Newland, Sherborne.

Communal gardens: Bayeux Court, Dorchester.