THE award for Best Kept Garden in Blacko has been presented to a woman -- without a garden.

A dozen people entered their gardens into the competition, from small patches to large gardens, but it was Vivien Hesketh's selection of pots and flowers which were chosen by the judges.

Despite not having a front garden, Vivien, who lives in a cottage in Gisburn Road, impressed the judges by her use of space.

She has arranged numerous pots of colourful flowers, has holly and plants that will still be around when the flowers all die off and she even has a water feature.

She said: "I kept saying I wasn't going to win because I was up against people with semi-detached houses and big gardens, but I do like pottering around.

"The judges said that this is a lady who is trying to make a statement that she wants a bigger garden."

Vivien won £25 and everyone who entered was presented with a plant. She said: "We have entered the best kept village competition and the idea was to get everyone motivated to make sure their gardens looked nice for that.

Next year they are planning to have two categories for small garden and large garden so, hopefully, more people will enter."