The South & South East in Bloom competition attracted its highest number of entries during 2010-11.

Our sponsorship of the horticultural competition entered its ninth year and has helped encourage water efficient and sustainable gardening across our region.

A total of 259 entries were received across 17 categories, ranging from small villages, large cities and coastal towns to schools, parks and neighbourhoods. Thousands of children also created gardens at 93 schools as part of the Blooming Schools programme.

After judging in July by experts from the Royal Horticultural Society, more than 350 people attended an awards ceremony in Gillingham, Kent, where BBC gardener and In Bloom supporter Chris Collins presented the winners with trophies and every entrant with a certificate.

During the year, we also created a water efficient garden at our headquarters in Durrington, West Sussex.