Gardeners to wait for prizes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gardeners to wait for prizes

Green-fingered residents of Wootton Bassett will have to wait before they can harvest the rewards of their immaculate gardens.

The winners of this year's Wootton Bassett in Bloom competition have already been selected but the judges are keeping their names firmly under cover.

The judging panel, consisting of town mayor Chris Wannell, wife Audrey, North Wiltshire MP James Gray and Stella Taylor, will be naming the winners at a special awards night on September 19.

Coun Wannell said: "It is quite hard to keep it a secret but we want it to be a surprise on the night and for there to be as many people there as possible. The standard has been very high this year and it has not been easy to pick the winners."

There are nine categories in all including the best front garden, hanging baskets, pubs and businesses, with an award given out to the overall winner. Last year's top award went to Linda Hinton, of Morstone Road.

The prize giving night will take place at the Wootton Bassett Conservative Club in the High Street starting at 7.30pm. The evening will include a raffle and light refreshments.