THE talents of gardeners whose ages range from five to 99 were last night celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony.

This year’s Green Fingers competition in Bury St Edmunds, sponsored by the EADT, has attracted scores of entries.

The various categories included best allotment, best back garden and best business premises.

Bury in Bloom, which organises the event, last night revealed the event’s offshoot, Young Green Fingers, has enjoyed its most successful ever year - with hundreds of entries coming in from children and schools.

Last night, the EADT’s incoming West Suffolk Editor Russell Cook was on hand to meet the winners and present the awards.

Julia Rackowe, Bury in Bloom campaign manager, said: “The local - Green Fingers - competition lies at the heart of Bury in Bloom.

“It enables us to forge links with gardeners - young and old, with a shared interest in growing and nurturing all things green and gorgeous.

“The competition also plays a big part in Bury’s success in the regional and national In Bloom competitions by demonstrating that Bury in Bloom is about more than a campaign to enhance our town centre, but a real peoples’ movement as well.”

Isobel Ashton, Green Fingers co-ordinator says: “We have been so pleased to have entrants in all the varied categories.

“Their skills and enthusiasm for everything including allotments, care homes, business frontages, private displays and gardens throughout town is exciting and inspiring.

“Our youngest participant this year is five-year-old Logan Mark and our oldest entrant is Ethel Walton who is 99 years old this year.

“Our sixteen Green Fingers judges have all expressed their delight in what they have seen and the gardening stories behind the summer show.”

The awards ceremony took place at the Unitarian Meeting House in Churchgate Street, Bury.