Ref.JUDGES were bowled over by the high standard of entries in this year's coveted Chippenham in Bloom competition.

Gardeners amazed and delighted judges with their imaginative and carefully tended gardens, courtyards, buildings and plant pots.

Scooping not just one, but two of this year's six categories were Jacqueline and Allan Neale, owners of the Oak Lodge Guest House in Bristol Road, whose stunning garden landed them the top accolade in the Last Year's Winners' Award and also the Best Overall winner title.

"We were absolutely thrilled to get two awards," said Mrs Neale.

"It's a bit of a job finding time to keep the garden looking nice around all our guests, but I try to get out there for a couple of hours most days and we are always having people put nice comments about the garden in our guest book."

Meanwhile, Chippenham in Bloom veteran Mary Lindsey, of 35 Esmead, was thrilled to come top in the Best Front Garden category her third win in the long-standing competition.

"I was over the moon," said Mrs Lindsey. "I have already won two Chippenham in Bloom awards in recent years and love gardening, so learning I had won the Front Garden category this year was a real thrill."

David and Janet Peck, of 127 Queens Crescent, were awarded first place in the best container garden class this year, after winning in 2001.

Mrs Peck is responsible for the design and layout of the eye-catching front garden, which includes a host of containers boasting dahlias and French marigolds in mixed colours.

The couple said that as they are now retired, they are able to devote much of their time to tending their garden.

"We have entered for the last three years, and won the year before last," said Mr Peck. "We both love gardening it certainly passes the time."

This year's Pub/Hotel award went to one of the town's oldest hostelries the Old Road Tavern.

Landlady Christine France, 59, said that the garden had been a ruin when she took the pub over 11 years ago, but plenty of hard work had turned it into a peaceful haven for her customers.

"It was a real mess and part of the reason for me taking the pub was the challenge the garden presented," said Mrs France.

Winners of the Commercial Premises category in this year's awards were First Great Western, for its hanging baskets and other floral arrangements at Chippenham Railway Station.

Station team leader Barry Jenkins said: "We have won many awards over the years in this competition and we take a lot of pride in our hanging baskets. Most of the staff are involved in watering them and the customers love them too."

The Residential Home/Sheltered Accommodation category went to Cocklebury Farmhouse at 79 Malmesbury Road. Resident Paul Williams, 56, who tends the garden with senior carer Sally Hodgkinson, said: "We are so pleased to get a first place at last.

"The garden takes a lot of time, but it is well worth it."

Chippenham Mayor Desna Allen said she and the other judges had been bowled over by the standard of entries. "It was very difficult to choose our winners," she said. "The quality was excellent."