This year’s Minster in Bloom contest has been described as the best ever.

Gardens in the village were looked over by 10 pairs of judges and whittled down to 45 lucky winners.

Barton Court Care Home in New Road scooped top prize for best community effort – the third time in a row it has done so.

Chris Charman, from Edenbrook Landscape Solutions in Oak Lane, claimed the trophy for best commercial effort for his work on the Cowstead Corner roundabout.

Best garden went to Christopher and Julie Clarke, of Nelson Avenue, and David and Pamela Girt, from Nautilus Close, won the best floral display and were given garden centre vouchers. Other awards went to second and third places as well as highly-commended and commended.

Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Sue Gent, at a ceremony at the Abbey Hall last month.

This year’s was the 12th annual contest and was organised by Minster Parish Council’s In Bloom committee, Cllr Jill Stimpson, Cllr Mad Mike Young, Tania Thompson supported by Trish Codrington and Maeve Hobbs.

Mrs Codrington said: “It was another really successful event for us.

“It was a terrific evening and there was a wonderful turnout.

“There were lots of familiar faces who took part but lots of new ones too.”