Malcolm Smith of New Whittington, was best overall winner at the third Chesterfield in Bloom Awards – a title he also gained in 2005 – and triumphed in the best front garden and best container categories.

The gardening enthusiast was runner-up in the best basket contest and was involved in Caxton Close's second place entry for best residential street.

Mr Smith (60) said: "I was overwhelmed. It's a big honour, especially considering the competition, and such a joy to think I've excelled in that field."

Last year's overall winner Spire Infants School again won two of the categories – best school garden and best school environmental/
wildlife garden.

The Chesterfield Borough Council awards proved tough work for the judges, with 115 entries in 14 categories.

A spokesman said: "It was a very tight contest, with both our previous winners again having strong claims to the title as well as some new contenders. But in the end we agreed that Malcolm was a deserving winner."

In Bloom awards photo album

Thousands of pounds worth of prizes were handed out at a glittering ceremony in the Winding Wheel.

Chesterfield in Bloom is sponsored by the Derbyshire Times with individual categories backed by several local companies.

Derbyshire Times editor Mike Wilson said: "We are pleased to be associated with a competition which has really captured the imagination of all sections of the community."

The most popular categories were best front and back gardens, school gardens and pubs or restaurants.

Cllr Ian Openshaw, the borough council's environment chief, said: "This competition goes from strength to strength. We were thrilled with the response when the competition was launched two years ago, last year was better and despite this summer's awful weather, this time round it has been better still.

"Once again, all sections of the community in Chesterfield have responded with great enthusiasm and the big bonus is that the town looks so much more beautiful as a result."

* Plans are already underway for Chesterfield in Bloom 2008 and any companies or organisations interested in supporting the awards should contact Richard Stephen on 01246 345100 or richard.stephen@chesterfield.gov.uk.
jennifer.ivers@derbyshiretime.sco.uk