With their bold and colourful floral arrangements Walmer residents showed unwavering commitment to improving the parish’s natural environment.

More than 300 commended certificates were posted to properties in the first round of judging in this year's Walmer in Bloom competition.

But it was only the very best gardens which went through to the final.

The best garden awards went to June Warwick of The Shrubbery in Upper Walmer, Dougie Brooks of Salisbury Road in Middle Walmer and Len Giles of Campbell Road in Lower Walmer.

Business winners were Le Vaillant Owen in first place, joint second were The Lighthouse pub, Castle Fish Bar and The Thompson's Bell. Walmer Baptist Church came third.

Final round judge Janine Doulton, a Royal Horticultural Society judge, said: “The gardens and containers demonstrated what a lot of work, patience and skill had been put into them to achieve such good results.

"The winners in each section were successful because their gardens and containers were well presented, with the blooms looking fresh and colourful."

She added: "Lawns were well tended, healthy looking and had neat and tidy edges.

"The successful gardens had a good range of shrubs and herbaceous perennials as well as relying on annuals.

"The small space gardens showed amazing ingenuity in the amount of plants that could be grown in a confined area.

"I am sure that all the gardens give great pleasure to all the passers-by within the Walmer parish.”

The competition has now been run by Walmer Parish Council for 17 years. Prize-winners and businesses will attend an event held on Sunday, October 14, when special awards, prizes, and certificates will be presented.

Walmer in Bloom committee chairman, Sue Le Chevalier said: “The competition provides an opportunity to recognise those local residents and businesses who work hard to enhance the visual amenity of Walmer.

"Once again we would like to express our gratitude to local businesses, which generously pledge prizes for the competition."