OXFORD’S gardeners once again proved their skills at this year’s Oxford Mail-backed In Bloom competition.

The results of the 22nd annual contest were announced at Roman Way Sports and Social Club on Thursday.

More than 180 people attended to celebrate the efforts and achievements of this year's entrants.

Lord Mayor John Goddard presented prizes to the winners of 18 categories.

This year, 60 people submitted more than 200 entries, with the majority coming from the Cowley and Headington areas.

Sheila and Errol Smith, of Blackbird Leys, said they were “very pleased” with their award for the Best-kept small back garden, and agreed that it was “a lovely evening”.

Karen Roberts, chairman of Oxford in Bloom, said: “Despite numbers being down, we had a lot of new entries, who are all very keen to enter again next year.

“Everyone had a great time. It was a really good night.

“There is a very high standard but people always enjoy themselves and are delighted with the prizes. The children were all very sweet and it’s nice to see the young people who will become our future gardeners”.

Congratulations went to Katie Heeley, the winner of the Under-11 planter and First-time entrant joint runner-up, the children of St Christopher’s CofE Primary School, in Cowley, and Betty Fletcher, who won a clutch of awards.

Judging took place during a week in July and the judges were Trish Stevens, John Alcock and Lois Allen.

Mrs Fletcher, of Northway, scooped two trophies, four certificates, two merits and £275 in vouchers.

“I'm still up in the clouds,” she said. “I haven’t got the knowledge, I just hope for the best.

“If I don’t know something, I phone up the gardening programme on the radio and ask them.”

Mrs Fletcher is well-known to the organisers but was unable to compete last year, so is glad to be back on form for 2010.

She said: “I got rid of my grass this year and replaced it with pebbles, which makes things look much nicer.”

She won, amongst other categories, Most beautiful balcony and Best-kept small back garden. She puts her success with the balcony down to her petunias.

She said: “Their brilliant pink won the balcony for me, but my favourites are fuschias – they’re gorgeous.

“You do sacrifice. I couldn’t go on holiday this summer because my balcony constantly needed watering.

“But it’s worth it.”