KEITH McCarren was pick of the crop at Rawtenstall, Edgeside and District Amateur Gardeners' Society 86th annual show.

Keith, who last year missed out by a single point, this time took the William Birtwistle silver cup for most points in the combined flower and vegetable sections, getting his revenge on last year's champion, Donald Kershaw who was runner up this time.

He also harvested more silverware by taking the cup for most points in the vegetable section and trophies for the best plate of potatoes, best vegetable exhibit and best tray of vegetables.

Society secretary Dawn Taylor, said: "It was a good show and we were highly delighted with the turnout.

"We had 250 entries and some new members. Both vegetable and flower sections were very good and in the cookery section we even had a winner all the way from Poole in Dorset.

"Her mum lives locally and while she was visiting decided to enter the show. She came along with her mum and both enjoyed themselves."

The show was held at the Unitarian Chapel, Bank Street, Rawtenstall, on S5/8aturday.

Other trophy winners were: Onions, Tommy Hoyle; runner up in veg section, B Cox; pot plants, Roland Duxbury; cacti, Clive Tweedale; junior, best cacti, Ben Parkin; most points, Ben Parkin; handicrafts best exhibit, Mrs J Pilling; most points, Edith Federow; cookery, G Pollard and Edith Federow; most points, C Ames, of Poole; floral art, Dawn Taylor.

Children's trophies, Jessica Rose, Jasmine Smith, Edward Marston; best flower exhibit, Roland Duxbury; gladioli, Tommy Hoyle; best dahlia, Donald Kershaw; most points, Donald Kershaw; best rose, S Hoyle; most points, Tommy Hoyle; Garden news Trophy, Tommy Hoyle; best chrysanthemum, B George; most points in flower section, Donald Kershaw; runner up Clive Tweedale.