A RECORD 55 entries came under close scrutiny by Skipton in Bloom 2003 judges.

The popular annual competition saw for the first time the inclusion of the best-kept allotment category.

Judges Rex Geldard and Ken Bullock, of Skipton Gardeners' Club, and Ronnie Bownass and Bob Cramby, from the council, had the difficult task of selecting the winners and said the standard of the entries had improved again.

At the presentation ceremony Mayor Paul English said that some entrants must wonder what they had to do to win as there was so little between those in the top three and those who were not.

"I would like to thank all those who entered the competition and hope to see you again next year," he said.

The top three in each category were presented with vouchers for the Lakeside Garden Centre at Foulridge sponsored by local businesses and individuals. An additional prize in each section was sponsored by Mary Ellis from the garden centre.

Results were: non-commercial: best front garden - 1 D Baxter, 2 L Windle, 3 F Bowdin; best back garden - 1 L Windle, 2 D Baxter, 3 W Robinson; containers and tubs - 1 L Windle, 2 E Woodbridge, 3 F Bowdin; best hanging basket - 1 D Middleton, 2 D Ward, 3 M Ryder.

Commercial: containers and tubs - 1 Skipton Railway Station, 2 Skipton Auto Services, 3 Coffee Mill Caf; best business/statutory body display - 1 Bizzie Lizzies, 2 Low Skibeden Farmhouse, 3 (tie) Skipton General Hospital and Holy Trinity Churchyard.

Children's classes: best containers/tubs 1 Ings School.

Allotments: best kept allotment - 1 L Thompson (Middletown), 2 J Lannon (Broughton Road), 3 F Bowdin (Broughton Road.)