THE victors have been selected in this year's virtual Glorious Gardens competition – but the biggest winner is Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, which is set to benefit to the tune of £1,600.

Hospice bosses launched the competition, which was backed by the Daily Echo, back in May.

Participants were asked to submit photos of their gardens, no matter how big or small, to be in with the chance of them being crowned among the county's most glorious.

A panel of top judges including Jay Blades from BBC One’s The Repair Shop; internationally renowned garden designer and multiple award winner at the Chelsea Flower Show, Andy Sturgeon; TV presenter and gardener Christine Walkden and gardening journalist and horticultural consultant David Hurrion picked the winners.

Today they are showcased in the Daily Echo

Categories included:

n best allotment or vegetable patch

n best general garden

n best small creative space

Tom Goodinge, director of fundraising at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: "We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in our Virtual Glorious Gardens competition.

"It was wonderful to see so many local people get involved, raise money for the charity and have some fun at the same time.

"Congratulations to the winners, you have officially been crowned to have Dorset’s most glorious gardens and we hope you continue to make your outdoor spaces as beautiful as ever with your prizes."

The winners also received a number of horticultural-themes prizes to help with their ongoing gardens.

Mr Gooding said: "Thank you to the local garden centres, Holme for Gardens in Wareham and Stewart’s in Christchurch, who donated the prizes for our competition champions.

"All the wonderful support shown by the local community means patients and their families can continue to receive our extraordinary hospice care. "We can’t wait to announce next year’s Glorious Gardens campaign, so make sure you look out for it in 2021.”