JUDGING has ended for this year's Wight In Bloom, with more than 100 entries shortlisted, which will be announced at an awards ceremony on July 23 — with Alan Titchmarsh.

The awards ceremony will be held at Liz Earle’s headquarters, The Green House, Ryde, as one of the organisations supporting the event, along with Southern Vectis and the County Press.

The 11 categories range from best small front garden, to best care giving complex garden, and a sustainability category, which makes up 20 per cent of marks.

Winners will receive free bus travel from Southern Vectis and botanical beauty products from Liz Earle — both leaders in sustainability.

Mike Fitt OBE, chairman of the Royal Parks Guild, said: "It’s all about 'in bloom', so it suggests flowers and beautiful gardens, but we shouldn’t forget sustainability.

"Looking at recycling and wildlife enhancement, such as putting up a bird box or creating a wildflower meadow."

A spokesperson for the judges said: "The gardens this year have been of an exceptionally high standard. We have seen new entrants coming forward as well as some old favourites.

"This year on the Island we celebrate our biosphere status, it has been good to see the gardens embracing the new sustainability category.

"Some of the highest-scoring gardens have been those using water and other resources carefully, and considering how they can accommodate wildlife.

"Well done to all the entrants, we are grateful to those many gardeners who continue to make the effort to keep our beautiful Island in bloom."

The judges final challenge will be to decide the overall winner of the Peggy Jarman Trophy — former honorary president of Wight in Bloom, who passed away in 2016.

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