TEST Valley in Bloom has been declared a big success this year.

Organisers reported a 20 per cent increase in entries, despite difficult hot conditions during the summer.

Among the winners in the Southern Test Valley region were Greenview Residential Care Home at Lockerley Green.

Two residents at the home along with volunteers had tended to the gardens during the summer, and the hanging baskets claimed gold in the commercial and hanging baskets section and the kitchen garden also impressed.

Owner of Greenview, Ian Bradford, said: “We were delighted with the result this year.

“I think these awards really gave us an incentive to work a little bit harder in the garden because we know people are going to look at it and see it. It adds value to people live here and people who visit.”

See this Friday's edition of the Advertiser for more pictures and details of gold winners.