LUDGERSHALL in Bloom proved to be a resounding success this year and organisers are already looking forward to next year's event.

This year was the first ever such competition in the village.

"There are a lot of keen gardeners in Ludgershall so we were not too surprised to have received such a bumper crop of entries in the competition," said Mike Winterbourne, the community development worker for Ludgershall.

"The standard of entries was very high and the judges faced a very difficult task in choosing the winners."

Bill and Betty Markham were awarded the top prize, a shield donated by Ludgershall Parish Council and awarded by council vice-chairman Bob Bale at a presentation in the Queens Head.

Mr Winterbourne added that the competition wasn't only well supported by the community but by corporate sponsors in the village, Ludgershall garden Centre, Barker, Son and Isherwood and Brockenhurst estate agents, who donated prizes.