BLOOMING communal gardens and attractive hanging baskets could win prizes for council estate residents in Leigh.

Wigan and Leigh Housing is inviting its tenants to take part in an amateur gardening competition.

The Borough In Bloom competition -- which is free to enter -- is designed to bring more colour to the area. Entrants can win £250 in any of five categories, including best communal garden, and best balcony, container or hanging basket.

Peter Gee, Wigan and Leigh Housing's chief executive, said: "We are keen to encourage as many people as possible to have a go at improving gardens on our estates."

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