TOWNSPEOPLE packed Redditch Town Hall last Thursday to hear the results of this year's Best Garden Competition.

The competition, organised by Redditch Garden Society and town charity Where Next, was judged by Cairi Dyson, Chris Harten and Colin Kershaw in July.

Overall winner Jean Roberts, of Feckenham Road, also scooped the area award for Callow Hill, Crabbs Cross and Headless Cross and was presented with two vouchers worth £35, a cup, shield and plate.

Mrs Roberts said: "A friend persuaded me to take part and I was surprised to win, especially as it was the first time I had entered the competition."

Dr R Bennett, of Callow Hill, came second overall and J Hawkins, of Oakenshaw South, third.

Other categories featured Best Containers and Hanging Baskets, won by Anthony Hewitt, of Winyates East, Best Recent Makeover, awarded to Laraine Ellis, of Crabbs Cross, and Best Water Garden, scooped by Laurence Jones, of Astwood Bank.

Winners also included the residents of Wood Court, Headless Cross for outstanding effort and achievement and Nickola Seymour, of Brockhill, who won the Good Start Award.

And Geoff Kirby, of The Cedars Nursing Home, Batchley, was presented with an award for the best sheltered, residential or warden-controlled home.

Mr Kershaw, who has been involved with Redditch Garden Society and the annual competitions for 30 years, said: "We chose Mrs Robert's garden as our overall winner because we felt this garden had everything."

TOWNSPEOPLE packed Redditch Town Hall last Thursday to hear the results of this year's Best Garden Competition.

The competition, organised by Redditch Garden Society and town charity Where Next, was judged by Cairi Dyson, Chris Harten and Colin Kershaw in July.

Overall winner Jean Roberts, of Feckenham Road, also scooped the area award for Callow Hill, Crabbs Cross and Headless Cross and was presented with two vouchers worth £35, a cup, shield and plate.

Mrs Roberts said: "A friend persuaded me to take part and I was surprised to win, especially as it was the first time I had entered the competition."

Dr R Bennett, of Callow Hill, came second overall and J Hawkins, of Oakenshaw South, third.

Other categories featured Best Containers and Hanging Baskets, won by Anthony Hewitt, of Winyates East, Best Recent Makeover, awarded to Laraine Ellis, of Crabbs Cross, and Best Water Garden, scooped by Laurence Jones, of Astwood Bank.

Winners also included the residents of Wood Court, Headless Cross for outstanding effort and achievement and Nickola Seymour, of Brockhill, who won the Good Start Award.

And Geoff Kirby, of The Cedars Nursing Home, Batchley, was presented with an award for the best sheltered, residential or warden-controlled home.

Mr Kershaw, who has been involved with Redditch Garden Society and the annual competitions for 30 years, said: "We chose Mrs Robert's garden as our overall winner because we felt this garden had everything."