BLOOMING marvellous! That's what judges thought of the eye-catching entrants in the Floral York Awards.

Both gardens were joint winners in the communal or street category of this year's competition.

Their victories were no great surprise. For the green-fingered experts in both entries could delve into decades of gardening experience when they created their floral masterpieces.

At Glen Lodge, in Heworth, 84-year-old George Westerman teamed up with neighbours Ron Scaife and Ted Askham to transform the area round their Bull Lane flats.

George said: "We are very pleased to have won. The secret has been hard work, good planning and a little bit of luck.

"We have been gardening all our lives and the residents in the other flats are always appreciative of what we produce."

Pensioners joining forces in Campbell Court, Osbaldwick Lane, not only scooped a prize, they also improved community spirit in their Tang Hall street.

Doreen Betts, along with husband Edward and neighbours Gladys Bardell, Bob Gibson, Paddy and Clifford Jackson, set to work creating a band of colour behind their four bungalows.

Doreen said: "We are all in our 60s and to win this award is wonderful. We all push each other when gardening and entering this competition has definitely brought us closer together as neighbours.

"We are determined to win this award again and, hopefully, we will see further success next year."

Council leisure officer John Coombes, who organised the event, said the standard of entries this year had been extremely high.

"Winners have again set a high standard and shown a good flair for garden design and ingenuity," he said.

Here is the full list of results, category by category:

Private garden within the Outer Ring Road: Mr and Mrs Grainger; runners-up, Mr and Mrs Higgs, Mrs D Savage.

Private garden beyond the Outer Ring Road: Mrs Jill Tait; runner-up, the Rev R Mackenzie.

Small floral display at a private dwelling: Mr J Church; runner-up, Mrs J Baxter.

Vegetable garden or allotment plot: Mr D Aston; runner-up, Mrs J Baxter.

Communal gardens, terrace or street: Joint winners, Campbell Court and Glen Lodge.

Best pensioner's garden or display: Mrs and Mrs Goodyer; runners-up, Mr and Mrs Sykes.

Best new entrant: Mrs and Mrs Mawhood; runner-up, Mrs A Kirk.

Most improved garden: Mr Southon.

Garden of the year: Mr and Mrs Downes.

School garden or floral display: Northfield School; runner-up, Tregellis.

Small or medium business in outer city: Rowntree Park Caravan Site; runner-up, Lake Cottage Caravan Park.

Large business outer city: Connaught Court; joint runners-up, College of Ripon and York St John and York Racecourse.

Outer city pub: Exhibition Hotel; runner-up, The Nags Head.

Guest house or small hotel in outer city: Heworth Court Hotel; runner-up, Palm Court Hotel.

Inner city pub: Cross Keys; runners-up, The Hansom Cab and Red Lion.

Inner city restaurant and caf bar: Blue Bicycle; runner-up, Bettys.

Inner City hotel or guest house: St Denys Hotel; runner-up, Galtres Lodge Hotel.

Large shop or store: Mulberry Hall; runner-up, Boyes.

Medium shop: Cox of York; runner-up, Durham Pine.

Small shop: Scotts Butchers; runner-up, Burgins Perfumery.

Public building or halls: Merchant Taylors' Hall; runners-up, St William's College, Royal Dragoon Guards HQ.

Business street or shopping centre: Coppergate.

Visitor attractions: Fairfax House; runner-up, Impressions Gallery.

A number of other entries were highly commended or commended by competition judges.

Updated: 15:06 Thursday, September 06, 2001