FARNHAM Town Council is expecting a bumper crop of entries in this year’s Secret Gardens competition which will be judged remotely.

There are eight categories to choose from including Best Hanging Basket/Container and Best Family Lockdown activity such as creating a bug hotel or building a small pond.

Entrants have until July 17 to send three photos and up to 100 words describing each of their entries to [email protected]

Desktop judging will happen in July and August and the results will be announced in September. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category.

The competition is sponsored by The Farnham Institute Charity. Register your interest online at www.farnham.gov.uk/bloom

Councillor Sally Dickson, lead member for Farnham in Bloom, said: “One of the positives of lockdown is that many people have put their time to good use by spending it in their gardens.

"Together with our sponsor The Farnham Institute Charity, we would love to see even more people entering this year’s competition and showing us what they have achieved this spring/summer.

“Gardening is a wonderful pastime which is accessible to all as it can be done on any scale and by any age group. It also has the added benefit of being very good for our mental health and wellbeing.

"I do hope that anybody who has discovered the rewards of gardening will continue to enjoy the benefits long after restrictions are lifted.”

The Secret Gardens competition is open to anybody who lives within the boundaries of Farnham Town Council.

Gardeners wishing to enter the competition should register their interest at www.farnham.gov.uk/bloom. Entrants will then have until July 17 to send three photos and up to 100 words describing each of their entries to [email protected]

Desktop judging will happen in July and August and the results will be announced in September. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category.