CASH totalling £11,000 is up for grabs in a popular gardening competition aimed at brightening council estates.

The Borough in Bloom challenge organised by Wigan & Leigh Housing gives individuals, community groups, schools and voluntary organisations the chance to win cash prizes totalling and to meet demand this year's contest has two extra categories.

The competition is free to enter with prizes for best overall garden, best communal garden, best balcony, container or hanging basket, and most improved garden.

Additional categories are for the most promising young gardener (under 35) and the best 'private' garden on a council estate.

Winners in each category in the local competitions will win prizes of £50, £30 and £20. First prize winners will go through to the borough-wide finals, to be held in late summer. There prizewinners in each category will get £100, £75 and £50.

Peter Gee, Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing, said:

"Attractive, well maintained gardens make estates better places to live in and we hope that even more people will spring into action this time around to make a real difference to their local communities.

"The competition isn't meant for experts and it doesn't matter if gardens are big or small, or just containers or a hanging basket --there's a category for everybody.

"We hope people will enjoy taking part in the competition and take great satisfaction from what they find they are able to

achieve."

Entry forms can be obtained from any local area housing office or online at www.walh.co.uk