It hasn't been the greatest of summers, but Oxford's gardeners have again come up trumps.

Many of them have tasted success in the annual Oxford in Bloom contest.

The awards presented last night were testimony to the hard work carried out over many months in gardens all over the city.

We often criticise householders for paving over their frontages for parking.

But it is clear that the age-old pastime of gardening is still alive and well.