COLOUR, interest and bright ideas have earned honours for North Walsham's top gardeners.Delighted North Walsham In Bloom chiefs, many of whom are new to the role, confess that they were “somewhat overwhelmed” by nearly 20 entries for this year's garden competition.

COLOUR, interest and bright ideas have earned honours for North Walsham's top gardeners.

Delighted North Walsham In Bloom chiefs, many of whom are new to the role, confess that they were “somewhat overwhelmed” by nearly 20 entries for this year's garden competition.

Winners were presented with their awards by in-bloom chairman Chris Hall and town mayor Brian Wexler at a ceremony held in North Walsham's Bluebell pub.

And Bluebell landlord Terry Miller found himself among the VIPs as the winner of a special Chairman's Cup for his “outstanding contribution” to North Walsham In Bloom.

This year Mr Miller added to his support for the cause by sponsoring a cup for entries in the pubs category - and saw the Bluebell gain third place.

Thanking him, Mr Hall said: “Little by little over the years he has helped and contributed so much.”

“Terry has held pub quiz nights for a number of years and donated a substantial sum to North Walsham In Bloom, but it's not all about money - he leads by example with his immaculate garden and is encouraging other public houses to do same; some might say unselfishly helping his competitors, but Terry sees the bigger picture in not only making for all residents a town to be proud of, enjoyable and fun to live in, but an attraction to tourists who will spread the word and not only encourage others to come and spend their money with us, but also return to see us.”

Gardens were judged by Shirley Gilbert, Sheila Coward, Paul Ingham from North Norfolk District Council and Christine Boggis.

The standard was superb, according to Mr Hall. He hopes the encouraging number of entries shows that in-bloom's efforts have made a noticeable impact in the town, and both he and Mr Wexler believe the work by volunteers will, in future, make it easier to maintain the standard achieved.

·Winners were: large gardens: 1 K and W Ewing, Woodside, judges comments: well maintained, visual impact; joint 2 J Harmer, Cromer Road: informal, old-established family garden, and Furze Hill House, Happisburgh Road: new garden, good potential. Medium garden: 1 Gill Cairns, Hall Lane: good use of space, companion planting, garden on different levels, good results for new garden; 2 Ron Howard, Nelson Road: tidy and colourful, well maintained; 3 S Balding, Kimberley Road: interesting plants, vegetables. Small garden: 1 Ellen Grover, The Lea: well cared-for, uses space well, interesting; 2 Trish Keck, Woodside: modern design, easy care, vegetables; 3 Liz North Walsham Junior: lot of effort. Pubs, Terry Miller Cup: 1 Kings Arms; 2 Feathers; 3 Bluebell. Chairman's Cup for outstanding contribution to North Walsham In Bloom: Bluebell pub.