Tamworth’s gardeners have pulled out all the stops to show that they are the blooming best.

Earlier this year, Tamworth Borough Council challenged gardeners across the borough to do their bit for Tamworth In Bloom by digging for victory in their own gardens.

Whether it was a huge garden with a rolling lawn and endless flower beds or just a small square of grass, a hanging basket or a window box, gardeners were urged to make the effort to help Tamworth again scoop gold in the Heart of England In Bloom campaign.

Now, three gardeners have been selected as the best in Tamworth and have walked away with the top honours in this year’s competition.

Carol Smith took the top prize this year for her beautiful and compact front garden at her bungalow in Deeley, Glascote Heath.

Delighted Carol won £100 worth of B & Q gardening vouchers. She has been lovingly tending to her front garden for 17 years and last year was highly commended in the same competition.

“I was over the moon when I found out that I had won first prize,” she said. “I was so overwhelmed that I cried.

“It’s lovely when people I don’t know say that my garden is gorgeous, and to have it win the prize for the best garden in Tamworth is wonderful.”

Jim and Nancy Hope’s garden at their home in Primley Avenue, Hockley, was awarded the highly commended prize. Their garden is a real labour of love and has been gradually built up and developed in the 59 years they have been living in the house.

Another highly commended certificate was presented to Robin and Gill Philips for the front garden of their home in Teign, Hockley – which this year has a red, white and blue theme to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

Chairman of Tamworth In Bloom, Cllr John Garner, was one of the judges for this year’s Best In Bloom competition. He said: “It was lovely to see so many beautiful gardens and obvious that people take a real pride in them.

“The most important part of Tamworth In Bloom isn’t the flowers, it’s the people of Tamworth and their involvement. We could not have won gold without the hard work and support of the Tamworth community, who put so much time and effort into making the areas where they live look superb.”