SIDMOUTH residents have won gold and silver in this year s Tenant s Garden competition run by East Devon District Council.

SIDMOUTH residents have won gold and silver in this year's Tenant's Garden competition run by East Devon District Council.

Once again council tenants have excelled themselves with their creative gardening and more than 40 entered this year's competition.

Judge Kieron Bewes, using the Royal Horticultural Society judging criteria, awarded 11 golds, one of which went to Anthony Vosper and his wife Gill, overall winner of the vegetable section, with their garden at Pathwhorlands.

For their front and back gardens at their home in High Meadow, Sidmouth, David and Joyce Willey also won gold, while Andy and Charly Drake of Furzehill, Sidbury, gained silver for their containers and hanging baskets.

"Three years ago we won gold for our garden," said a delighted Mr Drake.

Charly added: "We have been here five years and are keen gardeners. We take satisfaction in keeping the garden in good condition."

It is the first year the couple have grown flower tubs and next year will aim for gold in the overall category.

Joyce Willey, 61, is thrilled her husband's hard work in the garden has paid off. "We got silver gilt the first year, and silver last, now gold this year," she said.

"David does all the hard work, I do the titivating. The garden is only three years old. It is hard work but we enjoy it."

The couple, who married last September, grow most of their plants from seed or cuttings and use their spare bedroom to grow them on.

"We both love gardening and it is very therapeutic," she added.

Bronze certificates went to first time entrants Ms A Bea and Mrs C Bourne from Sidmouth.

Highly commended certificates went to Mrs S Peacock from the overall winners and Mrs D Corker for permaculture. Both are from Sidmouth.

Overall winner was Mr A Kellaway from Exmouth.

The annual competition is organised by EDDC's housing and social inclusion service.

Gold and silver winners will celebrate their efforts with a prize-giving tea at The Knowle, next month.

Sponsors of the contest were Connaught Partnership Ltd., Skinner Construction, Kieron Bewes Horticultural Consultant, Sidmouth Garden Centre and Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance.