FIGHTING off stiff competition from more than 40 entries, a Hanbury Wharf couple have won Festival Housing Association’s annual gardening competition.

Mr and Mrs Cowells scooped top spot in the gardening contest, which covers both Worcestershire and Herefordshire and includes categories such as best new garden, best large garden and best tubs and hanging baskets.

The judge of the competition was “bowled over” by the quantity and quality of the entries and had a tough time picking a selection of winners from such a high class field of entries.

Mrs Cowells said: “We were amazed to win the gardening competition. The presentation of the prize brought a tear to my husband’s eye. He was part of a team that won gold at the Chelsea Garden Show in the 60s, so to win this 40 years on is fantastic.”

The winning garden included a wide array of planting and landscaping with particular emphasis on flowers.

Clare Huyton, executive director at Festival Housing, said: “It is great to see this competition going from strength to strength with so many amazing entries. This is a fantastic way of bringing the community closer together and fostering pride in the environment that we all share.”

The gardening competition was judged by Jane Hunt, a renowned local florist and plant expert.