BLOOMING lovely was the verdict on entries for an annual competition aimed at sprucing up the appearance of the district.

Gardeners from Harpenden and Redbourn ensured that they jointly shared the award for best parish in the District in Bloom Awards 2010.

The Boot in St Albans Market Place was best retail frontage and Mandeville Primary School children were the best young gardeners.

Stephen Brooks, of West Riding, Bricket Wood, took top spot for the best front garden while Mr and Mrs Foers, of Lancaster Road, St Albans, were the best senior citizen gardeners. Helen Kane, of Charmouth Road, St Albans, won the best environmentally-friendly garden.

The District in Bloom Awards are organised by St Albans council and sponsored by Aylett Nurseries, the Herts Advertiser and Plantscape. Each category winner received �100 of vouchers from Ayletts and a certificate at an awards ceremony held at the nursery last week.

And for the Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Maxine Crawley, who was at the award ceremony, there was particular cause for celebration. “Accepting an award for Redbourn, my home village, was the icing on the cake of a wonderful evening,” she said.