PEOPLE who have made Southampton a brighter, flower-filled city have picked up awards for their green-fingered efforts.

Households and businesses all over the city have been making their surroundings more fragrant and colourful by taking part in this year's Southampton In Bloom competition, run by the city council.

They received awards in a range of categories from the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Brian Parnell, at the West Quay shopping centre.

Residents, companies and public buildings that put on the best displays picked up awards. Among the winners were Alan Hedges from Weston for Best Garden, Latham Court in Millbrook for Best Sheltered Housing-Community Area and The Humble Plum in Bitterne Village, named Best Pub.

Other categories in the competition were Best Individual Garden in Sheltered Accommodation, Best Balcony, Best Window Box and Best Hanging Basket.

Allan Moore, 11, from Swaythling Primary School, picked up a cup from the mayor for winning the poster competition to advertise next year's Southampton in Bloom competition.

SOUTHAMPTON IN BLOOM 2002

Main competition results

Private Garden

1 Alan Hedges - Weston

2 Myra Burville - Bassett

3 Belinda Hayes - Woolston

3 Linda Willis - Midanbury

Sheltered Housing/Community Area

1 Latham Court - Millbrook

2 Bisley Court - Sholing

3 Fernside Court - Winchester Road

Individual Garden in Sheltered Housing

1 Leonard Amos - Latham Court, Millbrook

2 Mabs Cottel - Hesketh House, Freemantle

3 Mr Barnett and Mr Swain - Bisley Court, Sholing

Balcony

1 J.Arnold and S.Jarvis - Lordshill

2 Mr Marks - Millbrook

3 Ray and Sadie Merritt

Window Box

1 Mabs Cottell - Freemantle

2 Carol Freemantle - Lordshill

3 Mr and Mrs Cordell - Bitterne

3 Mr Barnett and Mr Swain - Sholing

Tubs/Containers

1 Belinda Hayes - Woolston

2 Mr and Mrs Cordell - Bitterne

3 John Cardy - Lordshill

Hanging Basket

1 Belinda Hayes - Woolston

2 Mr and Mrs Street - Fernside Court

3 Alan Hedges - Weston

Commercial Premises

1 Atherley Bowing Club

2 Southampton Bowling Club

3 Povey's Dance Centre

Best Pub

1 Humble Plum, Bitterne Village

2 The Ice House

3 The Cowherds

Public Building

1 Christ Church, Freemantle

2 WestQuay sites (Provincial Meadows)

3 Marlands House

Wildlife Garden

1 Sarah Wood - Shirley

2 Mr and Mrs Penny - Bitterne

3 Bex Maturin - Bitterne

Jubilee Award

1 Charlie Large - St. Denys

2 Chris and Gill Hayes - Banister Park

3 Humble Plum public - Bitterne

Special awards

Botanical Interest - Philip Butcher - Bassett

Courtyard Garden - Mrs Hallum - Northam

Others:

Mrs Bain - One point off 3rd for Best Garden (Sholing)

Chris and Gill Hayes - one point off 3rd for Best Garden (Banister Park)

Special mention for Spanish students Dolors Jou and Alex Altarriba in a rented house in Swaythling.

Schools

Best School Grounds: Maytree Infant and Nursery School

Best Project: St Monica Infact School

Wildlife: Foundry Lane Primary School