Norman Ballard has won Didcot's best kept allotment award for the third year running.

Norman Ballard

The mayor, Dr David Giaretta, said there was keen competition for the Bosley Shield from among more than 300 plots under cultivation at the five council-run allotment sites.

The council's technical manager, Brenda Andrews, said Mr Ballard deserved to retain the shield for the quality of crops and tidiness of his plot.

Mr Ballard, 71, of Wessex Road, took over the allotment six years ago when he retired as a chauffeur.

"The allotment has been a way to relax in retirement," he said.