Gardening has been a point of solace for many during lockdown.

But under current restrictions it looks unlikely that traditional competitions will return anytime soon.

Zena Robson, of Devizes in Bloom annual competition, has announced that much-loved events such as Best Front Garden and Best Allotment will not go ahead in 2021.

“The past year has been a difficult one for everybody, including the Devizes In Bloom committee,” she said.

“We could not hold any of the events that we would normally have had and, unfortunately, the same will be true for some things this summer as well.

“There may well be a ‘roadmap’ but we all know what happens when the satnav goes wrong.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Instead, planters in Devizes are making plans for Open Gardens, which raises money for the chosen charities of the town mayor.

It takes place on one day on June 20, with people encouraged to get in touch with the Town Hall to take part.

Zena added: “I know some of you will be disappointed that we have had to curtail things and we are sorry but these are strange times so we must adapt as best we can. In the meantime – enjoy your gardens and outdoor spaces – they are more important than ever.”

In Chippenham, Tesco community champion Sue Andrews helped co-ordinate a delivery of ‘gardening goodies’ to the Ivy Wildlife Garden on the Ivy Estate, near the town centre.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

With a colleague, Jack, they donated items including compost, vegetable seeds which will be grown and given to the families in the area, flower seeds to attract the wildlife and a rose bush to be planted in the Memorial Garden.

The garden was created in 2014 by local residents who transformed the redundant green space into an area which can be enjoyed by all.

During lockdown the garden has been utilised by some parents as an aid to home schooling.