AFTER a record entry last year, the green-fingered of Redditch will be battling again to be crowned owners of the best garden.

The Redditch Best Garden Competition 2002, supported by the Redditch Advertiser and organised by Redditch Council and the Where Next? Association, is open to everyone.

This year, three new categories have been added - best vegetable garden, wildlife garden and allotment site.

The best garden winner will be selected from area winners but there will also be other prizes on offer.

The closing date for entries is Friday, June 28. Look out for entry forms in the Advertiser and at garden centres soon.

The categories are: Vegetable garden (new category); Wildlife garden (new category); Allotment site (this category is for the entire site, not individual plots (new category); General garden; Water garden; Containers and hanging baskets; Against the Odds; Recent makeover; Sheltered/ warden-controlled/residential homes.