WINNERS have been announced in competitions for art and poetry backed by civic gardening group, Wimborne in Bloom.

Submissions from five Wimborne schools, students from a local art school, and keen amateur painters, saw over 200 pictures entered in the painting competition.

“Hidden Wimborne” was the theme set for work by adult painters, with Tony Lewis taking victory ahead of Carol Traynor and Scilla Stuart-Paul.

Town mayor, Cllr John Burden, and his wife, Anne, cast a discerning eye over 160 paintings from schools and a local art academy.

Charlotte Piper from St John’s First School took first place in the category for foundation class pupils, while Wimborne First School pupil, Adele Morgan-Belarboulas, took victory among children in years one and two.

Amelia Morris from St John’s First School was the winner of the years three and four category, while Allenbourn Middle School pupils, Ethan Labouchardiere and Shakiya Linley, were judged winners in categories for children from years five to eight.

Pupils from Queen Elizabeth’s School swept the board in a category for children in years nine and ten, with Mille Barrett-Hooker finishing ahead of runner-up, Tim Neale.

Art academy students, Jasmine O’Hare, Emily Vernon, and Gaby Main, finished first, second, and third, respectively.

Nearly 140 people entered the Wimborne in Bloom poetry contest, with a huge response from the town’s schools.

Charlotte Bourne won the junior class for children at middle and upper schools, with Joel Holloway and Charlotte Jackson finishing second and third.

Lily Tribe snatched first place in a category for primary school pupils, ahead of Emma Yarrow, Dominique Hadden and Tim Baldwin.

Margaret Turner saw off competition from Anne Case and Annie Chambers to win the adult section. Organisers thanked Pam Perry for her continued sponsorship.

A prize giving ceremony for both competitions will be held at Allenbourn Middle School on September 19.