CHILDREN had to dig deep to find success for this year’s Bexley in Bloom for Schools competition.

A series of difficult growing conditions began with heavy snow at the start of the year, followed by a cold spring.That meant by the time of the judges’ visits in June, many of the school plots, especially those growing vegetables, were just getting going.

This year saw the highest number of entries ever into the competition, with 22 schools taking part.

The overall winner’s prize went to the little green fingers at Hook Lane Primary School in Welling, who won the only gold award of this year’s competition, after scoring 80 points for their school garden.

This earned the school the mayor’s trophy and a £60 voucher.

The judges said the school was “particularly stunning thanks to all the fabulous, colourful flowers on display throughout the school grounds”.

Hook Lane also received the Serco cup for gaining the most points in the competition, after winning top place for its vegetable garden, second place in the wildlife category and third place with its hanging baskets.

The school scored a total of 297 points from a possible 400 and took home £120 worth of vouchers as well as its two trophies.

It was a clean sweep for Welling in the school garden category, with Fosters Primary School, in second place, while St Michael’s CofE Primary School came third.

St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School in Foots Cray won the hanging basket category with East Wickham Infant School, Welling, in second place Second place in the vegetable plot class went to Fosters Primary School, with Longlands Primary School, Sidcup, in third place.

In the wildlife category, first place was taken by Bedonwell Infant School, Belvedere, and third place went to Danson Primary School, Welling.

Bexley mayor, Councillor Val Clark, presented the prizes and the vouchers were provided by Ruxley Manor Garden Centre.