Garden enthusiasts in Kent are celebrating after their success in the South and South East in Bloom competition. More than 300 people attended the awards ceremony in Gillingham, where special guest was Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.

Garden enthusiasts in Kent are celebrating after their success in the South and South East in Bloom competition. Coldred, near Dover, scooped a Gold Award and was voted overall winner in the Small Village category, while Cranbrook in Bloom won Gold and was also the Small Town category winner. Maureen Leah from Cranbrook received an Outstanding Contribution Award. To mark Coldred's success, Simon Irwin, on behalf of Kent Life, presented representatives with an engraved glass trophy. This year the Southern Water-sponsored contest attracted more interest than ever with 166 entrants across 17 categories. More than 300 people attended the awards ceremony at Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham, where special guest was Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.