BLOOMIN' marvellous! That's the verdict on this year's Bexley in Bloom contest.

And even Bexley council's gardeners were celebrating after news that the borough has won the coveted council services trophy in the London in Bloom competition, beating every other London borough.

Despite some appalling weather earlier in the year, the judges said the standard this year was higher than ever, especially in the schools, front gardens and containers categories.

Winners included Kay Holmes whose Exeter Road, Welling, front garden won top prize in that category and Christine Smith from Wolvercote Road, Thamesmead, whose containers won first prize.

The Former Public Convenience, in Bexley Village High Street, won the business premises prize; the Prince of Wales pub, in Woolwich Road, Belvedere was tops in the the pub/wine-bar/restaurant category; Foresters Homes, in Tower Road, Bexleyheath, had the best shared garden; Sidcup Community Church won the best public building category and Bursted Wood Primary School, in Barnehurst, won top prize for the best school frontage. Malcolm Cypher, of Wyatt Road, Crayford, was judged the best first-time entrant.

There were prizes for runners up and certificates of excellence were awarded.

All the prizes, which were presented at a ceremony at the Danson boathouse, were donated by Ruxley Manor Garden centre, in Sidcup.

The Bexley in Bloom contestants also played their part in Bexley's second place for London in Bloom's London Borough trophy. Hillview cemetery and memorial garden, in Welling, also came second in the Thames Water trophy for structured planting.

October 26, 2001 11:22