GARDENERS of Chester will dig out their lawnmowers to compete for the title of best garden 2010.

As gardens are beginning to bloom, green fingered residents of Chester and District Housing Trust are being asked to take part in their annual gardening competition.

The competition, which last year attracted more than 70 entries, is under way and free to enter.

First, second and third prizes for Garden Competition 2010 will be awarded in each of CDHT’s six neighbourhoods and an overall winner will be announced.

Categories include Best Window Box or Balcony, Best Sheltered Scheme, Best Vegetable Garden, Best Improved Garden, Best Communal Garden/Open Space, Young Person's Award and Best Group of Gardens.Š

Organiser Sara Morley, CDHT neighbourhood services manager, said: “This year all our staff will be on the lookout for residents’ gardens to be entered into the competition and you can also nominate a garden you feel is a winner.

“We look forward to seeing residents’ beautiful gardens in the summer and a big thank you to everyone involved. We are particularly encouraging children to enter the Young Person’s Award.”

Winners will receive vouchers and the overallŠchampion will receive an engraved Scandinavian rose-bowl glass trophy, donated by CDHT contractor Seddons.

Application forms for the Garden Competition 2010 are available from Centurion House, Northgate Street, Chester and the Blacon office, The Parade, Blacon and the Lache office, Cliveden Road, Blacon. Forms can also be downloaded from www.cdht.net or for a form to be posted contact the Trust on 0808 1007701.

The closing date is Friday, July 9, with judging to take place the following week.