GREEN-FINGERED children from Darwen had their efforts rewarded after taking part in an annual competition.

Prizes in the Darwen Civic Society bulb growing competition for schools were handed out at a special event at the St John Ambulance headquarters in George Street.

Guest of honour at the 18th annual prize-giving ceremony was Blackburn with Darwen's deputy mayor Florence Oldfield, pictured with Karen Chadwick, 10, and Sara Milner, eight.

Brian Hilton, secretary of Darwen Civic Society, said: "The quality of the blooms was excellent. It was probably one of the best displays we have ever had."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.