TALENTED young gardeners have been rewarded at a children’s flower growing competition.

Reece Hardy, six, of Dyserth Road, Blacon won the Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT) flower growing competition.

He received his award at a ceremony held at CDHT’s Centurion House headquarters on Northgate Street.

Runner-up was Edward Reynolds, six, of Clover Lane, Lache, with Melissa Gerrard, two, of Sycamore Drive, Lache, third. The 15 finalists, aged three to 10, applied to receive a pot and petunia seeds at the beginning of June and over the last month have been nurturing their plants.

The judge was Nora Coote, a CDHT resident from Cherry Grove Road, Boughton.

Sara Morley, CDHT neighbourhood services manager, said: “The children did brilliantly, especially as we have had some very hot weather, which means they have had to continually water their plants. This competition is a great way of getting children involved in gardening.”

Reece won a £20 high street voucher, Edward won a £10 voucher and Melissa won a £5 voucher, with the other finalists also winning £5 vouchers.