More than 200 green-fingered homeowners and business people turned out for Oxford In Bloom's annual awards ceremony.

Hundreds of glittering trophies and framed certificates were handed out throughout the evening — held at Roman Way Sports and Social Club in Cowley on Thursday.

The Oxford Mail-backed competition was not just open to the city's best gardeners, but also shops and offices, schools and colleges, factories, hotels, pubs and guest houses.

Gold medals were awarded to 21 gardeners in 20 categories.

Sacha Kelly, now 12, of Horspath Road, Cowley, won the Under-11 Planter Competition. She said she had been a keen gardener since she was eight and it felt great to win.

The Oxford Community School pupil said: "I just love planting things and spending time in the garden."

Rosemary Spittle, 67, of Leiden Road, Headington, picked up six awards — including three bronze awards and £105 in gift tokens.

She first entered the competition in 1999. She said: "It's fantastic. The highest I ever got was a silver award for my front garden, but I'm really pleased.

"I moved into my bungalow in 1998 and it was a wilderness — it took me a year to get into shape.

"I have always been interested in gardening. When I'm hurting, I go out into the garden and feel so much better."

Widower Pat Clark, 78, of Finch Close, Headington, won Best Kept Small Back Garden.

He said the prize was a tribute to his late wife Betty, who died two years ago, aged 74.

He added: "We used to garden together — she always insisted on doing all the planting and I did all the heavy lifting. I hoped to win a high-commended certificate. I was flabbergasted to win gold."

Magdalen College won gold for Display by Universities and Colleges, while St Christopher's Primary School pupils took home the top prize for Best Schools Environmental Project.

Oxford In Bloom organiser Mike Gass hosted the awards ceremony and Lord Mayor of Oxford Susanna Pressel handed out the prizes.

Mr Gass said: "It's been great. We had more first time entries than any previous year, which is so important for the competition."

Senior judge John Alcock added: "I think the awards give people plenty of pride. People don't garden for the competition, they do it for the love of gardening, but it's nice to be recognised."

Mrs Pressel said she felt privileged to have the chance to meet the city's finest gardeners.

She said: "Congratulations to everyone who entered the competition and to all the judges. The weather has been horrible this year, but the standard of entries was very high."

She also paid tribute to Mr Gass, who has retired from helping organise Oxford In Bloom and Oxford's entry into Britain In Bloom for 20 years. She said: "He's much loved and will be much missed."

Oxford In Bloom — sponsored by Oxford City Council and the Oxford Mail — started in 1985. Entries are awarded marks out of 100 on general impression, cleanliness and tidiness, quality of plants and arrangement and design.

The winners: Best Kept Small Front Garden: Chris Perks, Palmer Road, Wood Farm Best Kept Large Garden Front: Jane Payne, Burchester Avenue, Headington Best Kept Small Back Garden: Mr and Mrs PJ Clark, Finch Close, Headington Best Kept Large Back Garden: Linda Clover, Kennet Road, Headington Best Terraced House: Suzanne Smith, Corunna Crescent, Cowley Most Beautiful Hanging Basket: Albert Hilland, William Kimber Crescent, Headington Most Florally Attractive Window Box: Chris Perks, Palmer Road, Wood Farm Most Beautiful Balcony: Carmel Whelan, St Nicholas Road, Littlemore Family Garden: Susan Cummins, Cumberland Road, Cowley Under-11 Planter Competition: Sacha Kelly, Horspath Road, Cowley Residential Vegetable Garden: Mr and Mrs R Massey, Headley Way, Headington Best Schools Environmental Project: St Christopher's Primary School, Temple Road, Cowley Display By Language Schools: Mr G Simpson, Oxford English Centre, Banbury Road Display By Universities and Colleges: Magdalen College, High Street Community Garden Therapy Award: Charlotte Attlee, Manzil Way, Cowley Community Outside Display: Mr P Brennan, Peverel Management Services, London Road, Headington Best Kept Pub: Jolly Farmers Public House, Paradise Street Best Kept Hotel/Guest House: Cornerways Guest House, Abingdon Road Garden For The Disabled: Betty Fletcher, Stockley Road, Northway First Time Entry: Mr and Mrs PJ Clark, Finch Close, Headington, and Chris Perks, Palmer Road, Wood Farm