THEY have escaped eviction from their allotment and made it through to week three, whilst impressing TV judges.

Millions of viewers watched as Hampshire gardeners Eleanor Waterhouse and Kate Bennett impressed judges once again last night as they put their growing skills to the test on national TV, winning ‘best in show’ for their summer wreath.

The green-fingered duo also made it through to the third round of BBC2’s new programme The Big Allotment Challenge, gardening’s answer to The Great Sewing Bee and The Great British Bake-Off.

Going head-to-head with 16 other gardeners, the two 63-year-olds from Winchester have had to dig up their best produce, make jams and curds and practise their floristry skills using flowers, fruit and vegetables from their allotment to escape being kicked off the show.

The programme, presented by Fern Britton, started last week, attracting an audience of more than 2.5m.

Each week the contestants face four challenges before judges choose one pair to leave the show.