A total of 16 gardens, from large country plots to compact back yards, welcomed visitors to raise money for Furze Down School and local charities.

Numbers were slightly down on last year's event, but the total raised was on a par at around £1,500.

Bridget Bradford, one of the organisers, said: "There was such a variety of gardens this time, it was amazing. One garden was only taken over two years ago and they've completely transformed it. It looks like they've had Ground Force in to fix it.

"Thank you to everyone who came along, the gardeners, helpers and town for supporting Winslow in Bloom," she added.
Furze Down School, the main beneficiary, had created a garden trail around the school grounds, including a wildlife area, a Dig for Victory plot, a kitchen garden and a woodturning demonstration.

Other highlights included a giant owl-shaped yew topiary at Dalhousie in Tennis Lane and the walled garden of Keach's Meeting House, a 17th Century Baptist chapel in the heart of Winslow, which has been planted with shrubs and herbs relevant to the era of the building.

The next Winslow in Bloom is due to be held in 2010.