Talented young artists in Malmesbury were recognised at an annual award ceremony.

The Malmesbury in Bloom art competition sponsored by the Standard, was held at the town hall on Friday, September 27.

The painting competition, encouraged young artists in the town to get in touch with their creative side.

This year, Malmesbury Town Council had more than 100 entries, double the number of entries as last year.

"The quality of the paintings was excellent, as always.” said Cllr Fran Vandelli.

“In fact, we had some of the youngest entrants ever, and there were several highly commended pictures in every category.

"We’re lucky that local artist Mary Ray-Smith judged the competition, because I wouldn’t know which pictures to choose!”

Charlotte Bradley was the winner of the 10-year-old category, with Eliza Streeton winning the 8 to 9-year-old category.

Matthew Billingham won first prize in the 5 to 7-year-old category, and Megan Walker was named winner of the toddler category, for those two-years-old and under.

Hard-working horticulturalists were also rewarded for the commitment to their gardens at the awards, in the Malmesbury in Bloom gardening competition.

Piers Laven, who works for Hortico in Pinkney, judged the competition and commented on the very high standard of all the entries.

The ‘Overall winner’ category was won by resident Stephen Dangerfield, whose garden provides a riot of colour and variety every year and the ‘Super Gardener’ cup was awarded to resident Norman Hunt.

Frances Smith, Helean Hughes and Joanna Fraser won first prize in the ‘Courtyard Gardens, Patios and Small Garden’, ‘Large Garden’ and ‘Wild Flower Area’ categories, respectively, while Maurice and Val Cleaver won first prize in the ‘Vegetable Patch’ category.

The whole of the Lower High Street area won first prize for the ’Street, Road or Area’ category, and Hyams Autos won first prize in the ‘Commercial Premises’ category and Matthews Independent Funeral Directors won first prize in the 'Window boxes, hanging baskets & containers’ category. Piers also singled out the following for an honourable mention: The Emporium of Loveliness, The Riverside Centre, Mr and Mrs Soule and the town council grounds men Shaun Bleaken and Graham Jobes.

Malmesbury mayor Julie Exton opened both prize giving events and said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The Standard for sponsoring the children’s prizes again, and to thank all the people who work hard behind the scenes to make the competition happen, including all the school teachers who support their students to enter.

"I’d especially like to thank our judges and Cllr Catherine Doody, and, of course, the staff at the town hall.