A late heatwave has saved this year’s Melksham in Bloom competition, with the sudden sunshine bringing colour to gardens across the town.

The annual competition winners were announced this week, with awards given for commercial and residential gardens of all shapes and sizes.

Lorraine McRandle, Melksham Town Council’s committee administrator, helped organise the competition.

She said: “We weren’t sure how it would go this year, as it’s been a very wet start to the year, but the flowering has been great.

“It’s always a very high standard, but some of the new entries did very well.”

The title of best overall garden went to Bruce Petty, 70, of St Michael’s Road.

He said: “There’s no secret to it, it’s just about keeping on top of it through the year. Don’t make it hard work, it should be a pleasure.

“They’ve now asked my garden to be put forward for the town’s entry to the South West in Bloom competition, which I’m very proud of.

The award for best street went to Winchcombe, off Woodrow Road, which was co-ordinated by Sylvia Booth, 66, who was also honoured with the best small rear garden title.

She said: “Because of the weather I thought there wouldn’t be enough floral things out, but we were lucky everything flowered right at the end, and it was wonderful.

“Collectively we have all made a big effort; there’s a the man across the road who hasn’t long moved in, but he made a great effort and put up a floral trough, and that’s what it’s all about, bringing people together.”