Petersfield’s green fingers were out in full force to celebrate the fruits of their labour.

The annual Petersfield in Bloom (PIB) Awards Evening brought together the town's talented gardeners, passionate community members, and local dignitaries for a night to celebrate the beauty of horticulture.

Among the attendees were town mayor Cllr Lesley Farrow, East Hampshire District Council Vice Chairman Cllr Graham Hill, and PIB vice president Steve Amos, who helped hand out the awards with Claire Vennis from Gardener’s World Magazine.

Mr Amos said: “I actually went out on the day with some of the judges driving them around all the places. I was blown away by the standard and some of the gardens are absolutely stunning.

“Like any competition, the more people that enter these competitions, the better the competition. Speak to your neighbours, speak to your colleagues and speak to others in Petersfield.

“It's a brilliant competition, really well attended, with super high standards and it'd be great to see more people involved in it.”

Categories included Best Front Garden, Best Hanging Baskets, Best Business Display, and Best School Garden.

Lavant Court scooped up three awards and Steep House Nursing Home was noted for its D-Day raft display as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations. Petersgate Infant School were recognised for their outstanding efforts and a couple from 88 Chestnut Drive had received a few awards for their work.

Cllr Hill commented: “I’m very impressed by everyone here tonight and the gardens and flowers. It is very commendable and I’m a town councillor in Alton so it looks like we have some competition here!’

He added that another great and colourful part of the evening was Mr Amos’s floral shirt from Hector’s which had people laughing. It was a blooming success for all entrants and the attention now turns to next year’s PIB.