KEARLSEY was drowned in colour during its first ever in bloom competition.

Residents, businesses, and community organisations within the area were asked to create a display, make their gardens look pretty or hang a basket on to make Kearsley look beautiful over the summer months.

The Kearsley Festival Group, formed of local residents, hosted the three month long festival and helped to brighten up the area with railing planters, flower tubs, giant picture frames and giant flowers.

The group appealed to residents to get involved by volunteering to water the flowers or enter a competition to win great prizes including restaurant meal vouchers as well as afternoon tea for two at the Houses of Parliament.

Tracey Wilkinson, one of the organisers, said: "The schools competition concluded before the break for holiday season where Tony Bridge from Bolton FM and local girl Christina Cunningham Miss North West crowned the winner St Peter's School with close runner up St Stephen's.

"Today was the turn of the residents and businesses and with the help of Tony Lloyd the winners were declared. Best resident entry went to Charles Gandy of Beech Avenue runner up being the Residents of Ivy Grove who did a joint entry.

"The best Business went to Wells House Kindergarten with their amazing topical creation of the Olympics runner up with their equestrian creation was Ryder's Farm.

"The most creative hanging basket/planter went to Ros and Jack Wharton of Lord Street followed by Pat Burrows."