GREEN-fingered allotment holders in Worcester have had their skills celebrated at an awards ceremony at the city's Guildhall.

The awards were resurrected this year by the city's allotment forum, having lapsed in 2013.

The 200 or so entries were judged by Bill Simpson MBE, assisted by Dan Robb, in June. Mr Simpson is a Royal Horticultural Society judge and judges all around the country, including at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The presentation evening was hosted by Warwick Neale of Worcester City Council’s Community services department, with mayor Stephen Mackay presenting the awards.

A silver cup was awarded to the overall winner in each of the five categories: best polytunnel, best new tenant, best half plot, best full plot and overall best site in the city. Second and third place winners received medals and everybody received certificates.

Pat Gething of the allotment forum said: "These are super sites where people can form social bonds, keep fit, grow healthy vegetables and encourage wildlife. They are usually tucked away in a quiet spot and are real havens of tranquillity.

"You can forget the stresses of the everyday world and relax with nature whilst growing whatever you fancy for your dinner table throughout the year."

Worcester City Council has more than 25 allotment sites within its borders, and there are also two self-managed sites, and one run by Warndon Parish Council.

AWARDS

Best site: 1st Timberdine Avenue, 2nd Droitwich Road, joint 3rd Northwick Road and Windsor Road.

Best full plot: 1st Brian Sampson, 2nd Margaret Jones, joint 3rd Lewis Vagges, Jonathan Minton, E E Knight and Ethna Sampson.

Best half plot: 1st Toby Pegg, 2nd M Mapp, joint 3rd Peter Parry, Sharon Dark, Alan Yeates, Susan Hinton and Jeff Clayton.

Best new tenant: 1st Hylton Nicholson and John Christian, joint 2nd Sue Hyde and J Browne, 3rd C Humphries.

Best polytunnel/greenhouse: 1st Ethna Sampson, 2nd: Brian Sampson, 3rd Eric Winder.