BRIGHTLY coloured hanging baskets and edible open spaces were whittled down to just seven in the final of a floral competition.

Over the last few months, individuals and groups have been busy decorating and sculpting gardens across the borough’s estates for this year’s Harrow in Bloom competition.

After being inspected by a team of judges, Durrent Court, in Harrow Weald, was named overall winner.

Resident Jim Loftus, who collected the award, described the presentation as “tremendous.”

He said: “I took up gardening three years ago, and have won an award every year since.

“If you can do something a bit different, you’re in with a chance. It’s getting harder and harder, but we’ll be having a good go again next year.”

Residents of Harrow council’s housing estates and sheltered schemes were judged across seven categories.

The winners were decided by a panel of judges including by the Mayor of Harrow and Harrow Council Housing and Public Realm officers.

Runner-up in the hanging baskets category was 60-year-old Pauline D'Jemil, of Hazeldene Drive, who competed for the first time this year.

She said: “It is lovely what we have done. The neighbours and the local children have been really helpful.

“It just makes it a nicer place to live in. It can be a bit barren with lots of concrete around here but the flowers just make it a pretty place.”

Communal garden entries were given seeds and plants to plant in the area by the council.