The winners of a school gardening competition have been rewarded for their hard work.

Witney Schools in Bloom has been running for 14 years and aims to get school children planting flowers and enjoying the outdoors.

Each of the 13 schools from around Witney that took part were given a grant of £350 to build a garden. They were free to use the money however they pleased, with some building simple flower and vegetable gardens and others filling recycled bottles, and even boats, with flowers.

This year the overall winner was Witney Community School, which also took home Best Portfolio, Best Use of Recycled Materials and the Gold Award.

Jo Ellis, a teaching assistant at the school, said: “We have had success in the past but nothing like this. “It’s great to have won the overall cup.” Charlotte Williams, who attends Witney Community School, said it felt amazing to win.

The 10-year-old said: “We have been working really hard for it.”

A total of 13 schools entered the competition, with each of them achieving a high standard.

Janine Howells, amenities manager for Witney Town Council and one of the judges, said: “This is the second year that the lowest award we have had is silver.

“It gets harder and harder each year to have one winner because they are all so good.”

The prizes were handed out in a ceremony on Friday.