GARDEN enthusiasts are encouraged to enter a garden and allotment competition.

The Melplash Agricultural Society's annual gardens and allotment competition returns this year after last year's cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now in its 28th year, the competition aims to reward residents for their creative skills and passion for gardening. It is open to anyone who lives within a 12 mile radius of Melplash Village Church, and gardens and allotments of any size can be entered.

There are prizes for the best large, medium and small garden and for the best allotment as well as an overall winner. Winners of each category will receive a trophy and vouchers to spend with William James & Co, a manufacturer and supplier of garden equipment and accessories based in Bridport. Chedington Compost will also gift bags of compost to the winners of each class.

Horticultural section chairman Peter Yeates said: "The society’s garden competition has been a great success since its inception. You don’t need to be an expert gardener to enter or even need a big garden as it is all about how well you use the space that you have.

"It is open to everyone. If you are proud of what you have achieved please do seriously think about entering and get recognised for your hard work and horticultural talents."

The closing date for the competition is June 7 and judging will take place on June 15 and 16.

For more information and to enter, visit the Melplash Show website.