GARDENERS have struggled to keep their plants up to the high standards expected by the judges of the annual Bexley in Bloom competition.

At the height of the heatwave in July, when the judges paid their visit, they commiserated with contestants about the weather and the difficulties posed by a hosepipe ban.

But the summer's problems were forgotten when the competitors gathered at Hurstmere School, Hurst Road, Sidcup, for the awards ceremony where the winners' names were announced.

Bexley mayor Councillor Brian Beckwith told them this year's difficulties "did not seem to affect the wonderful standard set by the participants".

The London in Bloom judges also agreed as Bexley won a silver gilt award in its competition.

Bexley winners were: front garden (permanent planting), V Richardson, Aspen Green, Erith; front garden (seasonal planting), D Lee, Footscray Lane, Sidcup; shared gardens, Foresters' Homes, Tower Road, Bexleyheath.

Container planting, J Stanton, Montrose Avenue, Welling; business or public premises, Mrs J Hall, Dog House Grooming Parlour, Crayford Way, Crayford.

Best first-time entrant, Mrs P Penn, Walnut Tree Cottage, Sidcup Hill, Sidcup; outstanding achievement, H Routh, Cloudesley Road, Slade Green.