IT was drinks all round when a pub toasted its award-winning garden. Regulars at The Jolly Knight in Rochester High Street helped their landlord Bill King celebrate after he collected a trophy for the Best Pub Garden in Medway council's annual garden and allotment competition.

Mr King's flower-filled courtyard and stunning hanging basket display helped him secure the prize for the third time in three years. Although the colourful display of begonias, geraniums and pansies cost Mr King £1,400, he said it was well worth it.

"It takes a lot of effort and about two hours tender loving care every day, but I enjoy it. It makes the place look lived in and friendly."

Overall winners of the best garden in Medway were Agnes and Leonard Roose. The couple, of Lynton Drive, Lordswood, Chatham, were singled out as the overall green-fingered champions because of their amazing display of 600 busy lizzies and begonias.

Their array of hanging baskets, including a cascading display imitating a waterfall effect, and their flower-filled wheelbarrow, also caught the judges' eyes.

Mrs Roose, 76, said: "My husband and I really enjoy gardening. It is therapeutic. If I am feeling down I can go into the greenhouse and potter around. You can forget everything else that is going on."

The couple have won the best garden in the south region for the past two years but this was the first time they won the overall title.

Other winners were John Howell, of Holland Road, Chatham, who collected the trophy for best allotment. The Robert Browning Unit at Medway Hospital won for best business.