Clive and Betty Mitchell in the garden of their home in Blackbird Leys It was an evening of triumph and elation for city gardeners as months of hard work were recognised at the 20th annual Oxford in Bloom awards, sponsored by the Oxford Mail.

More than 20 prizes were awarded at the ceremony, held at the Roman Way Sports and Social Club in Horspath Road.

Blackbird Leys couple Clive and Betty Mitchell were overall winners, picking up a two-day all-expenses-paid trip to the Eden Project in Cornwall, donated by the Oxford Mail. They also won the award for Best-Kept Small Front Garden and Best-Kept Large Back Garden.

Mr Mitchell said: "We were elated. We just couldn't believe it when we won. We're really looking forward to the trip."

Harry and Barbara Chilvers, of Sandfield Road, took the Best Residential Vegetable Garden title.

Mr Chilvers said: "It was an excellent night -- we never expected to win. We had won about seven times in the past, but we'd packed it in. We only decided to enter this year as it was the 20th anniversary."

Lorraine Band, of Herschel Crescent, shared the prize for Most Beautiful Hanging Basket with Mr and Mrs Edmonds of Cowley and Mr Hogg, of Headington. Mrs Band said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I've been involved in Oxford in Bloom for about 10 years now and I've won a few times, but it's always an achievement."

Cowley resident Michael Matthews was again named Best Disabled Entrant. The 87-year-old is diabetic and suffers from blood clots and eye problems.

He said: "It's the third time that I've won the award and I'm delighted. I've been entering the competition for 20 years and it's been a marvellous thing. Oxford is a lovely city and it's good that people show this kind of interest."

The Best Community Outside Display award was taken by the Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club and Templars Square shopping centre.

Centre manager Wendy White said: "We're thrilled to bits. I've personally been involved in Oxford in Bloom since about 1988 so I'm delighted watching it go from strength to strength. It's very rewarding."

The Oxford English Centre took the prize for Best Display by a Language School, for the second consecutive year.

Spokesman Alex Nicholls said: "We're delighted. It's all down to the hard work of our principal, Dr Graham Simpson, and our gardener, Adrian Judge."

The awards were presented by Lord Mayor of Oxford Bob Price, assisted by Oxford Mail editor Simon O'Neill, Oxford City Council's sponsorship and partnership officer Mike Gass and BBC Radio Oxford presenter Alison Booker.