The results for the prestigious Melplash Agricultural Society's Gardens and Allotments Competition are in.

It is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash church and each year the competition celebrates the hard work and pride that people put into their gardens.

All types and sizes of gardens and allotments can be entered and this year there were 16. They were judged over two days by Mr and Mrs Tim and Sibyl Gale, the 2021 large garden winners, and Melplash Show horticulture committee member, Mrs Jackie Seogalutze, and were accompanied by society president Mr Nigel Jones, society chairman Mr James Vickery and vice chairman Mr Philip Hardwell.

The judges' overall comments were: "We were very impressed by the wide variety of gardens, full of wonderful plants, perfumes and delightful spaces. All were different but linked by the enthusiasm of their owners and the pleasure that gardening brings. Nearly all the gardeners recognise the critical part that wildlife, particularly pollinators, bring to their gardens and the health of our environment - gardens are not only a source of joy and pleasure but significant contributors to a sustainable future."

Mr Vickery said: "It was a privilege to visit so many fantastic gardens and allotments. It was very obvious that everyone had spent many hours working in their gardens and did so throughout the year. the results were magnificent, Thank you everyone for taking part, we hope you will again next year."

The results are:

Allotments

First - Mr Kevin and Mrs Donna Trott, West Allington Allotments

Second - Mr Scott McGregor and Miss Ruth Hennigan, West Allington Allotments

Third - Mr Alec and Mrs Ann Crawford, Beaminster

Small Gardens

First - Mr Nick and Mrs Jen Tett, Bridport

Second - Mrs Val Bartlett, Bridport

Third - Mr Les Loveridge, Lyme Regis

Medium Gardens

First - Mrs Jane Pinkster, Beaminster

Second - Mrs Sue Warren, Morcombelake

Third - Mr Peter Lacey, Lyme Regis

Large Gardens 

First - Mr Jason Smith and Ms Nicola Darby, Mangerton

Second - Rev. Carole Peters-King and Dr Barry Peters-King, Fishpond Bottom

Third - Mr Guy and Mrs Gillian Livingston, Bridport

A special environmental award - The George Payne Memorial Trophy - has been awarded to Mr Roy Tarsnane in Bridport. The judges were impressed by his vision to create a wildlife garden that has been carried through with hard work and enthusiasm for more than 20 years.

The overall winner of the garden and allotment competition is Mr Jason Smith and Ms Nicola Darby. Jason said: "We are absolutely blown away at not only winning the large garden category, but also being the overall winners.

"Our garden is the biggest please, the place where we can both relax and enjoy being outside together. Through the pandemic we have had time to make a number of gradual improvements, we have brought the wild back into the garden, and we think successfully merged our classic cottage garden in to the surrounding countryside."

The prizes will be awarded at the annual Melplash Agricultural Show on Thursday, August 25.

The horticulture competition schedules for this year's Melplash Show are now available from the show office or can be viewed online at melplashshow.co.uk