EVERYTHING is rosy for residents who dug deep to make the borough look blooming beautiful were celebrated for their fabulous floral efforts.

The Growing Together Awards - organised by First Choice Homes Oldham in partnership with Oldham Council - brought together the top of the crops for an evening of green-fingered recognition at Best Western Hotel Smokies Park.

The awards honoured people's love of gardening and their ability to brighten up not only their own plots, but their communities too.

Categories included Most Improved Garden, Young Gardener of the Year and Best Community Garden of the Year.

Special guest host was the author, gardener and presenter, Toby Buckland who said: "I am so pleased at how welcoming the audience and organisers were. The event is such a wonderful opportunity for local communities to come together and share their experiences and tips. I would be delighted to attend the event again.”

Among the winners on the night were Tom Adamson and Doreen Tetlow, from Burnedge Lane, Grasscroft, who have scooped numerous awards over 14 years for their gorgeous garden as well as raising thousands for charity.

This year their efforts raised £870 for the British Heart Foundation after opening up their pain-stakingly created grounds to around 70 people.

It was also visited by the RHS North West and Champion of Champions Judges after they were crowned winners of Oldham Council's Overall Private Garden Competition last year.

At this year's ceremony they were merit award winners and won first prize overall in Oldham Council's Private Garden Competition. They also won accolades in Saddleworth in Bloom Garden Competition.

"The feedback from everyone was positive and we were delighted with glorious sunshine on the day and the amount we raised which helped to make the event very successful.

"Our decision to put on the event in aid of the British Heart Foundation was to help raise money towards their life saving research."

The Old Original, in Scouthead, was among the prize winners thanks to the efforts of landlord Tom Harrop and customers, Angela and James Kenny, of the Toll House Garden Centre, in Dobcross.

The overall winners for First Choice Homes Oldham were Dorothy and Stanley Gordon, of Brooks Drive, in Failsworth, who were presented by the sponsor of the event Clive Newton, managing director from local construction firm Emanuel Whittaker’s.

The judges commented: “The winners have produced an outstanding garden. It has so much interest with different areas and is always changing through the seasons. Their family enjoy using the space very much and we could have quite happily spent a whole afternoon looking around.”

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives at Oldham Council, Cllr Barbara Brownridge, said: “All the awards on the night were well deserved and the effort from the community always makes me proud of Oldham.

"The ceremony gave gardeners the chance to show off their open spaces and have some fun after all the hard work they have put in over the last few months. The event grows in popularity every year and the commitment from residents helps make our borough look beautiful. Well done to all the winners from the evening for leading example and helping others improve the look and feel of the borough.”

The competition will be open again for entries in May 2018.