GREEN-FINGERED residents in the Three Towns are being urged to show off their beautiful gardens.

Entries have opened for a garden competition which aims to highlight some of the amazing horticultural creations in Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan.

Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The recent Three Towns Participatory Budgeting pilot asked residents of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston to decide how to spend part of the council’s Grounds Maintenance budget for the area.

“One of the most popular ideas was to introduce a best garden competition, so based on this result, we have launched a contest to find some of our bestkept gardens.

“It’s been a great summer so far, so we expect there will be quite a few residents who will be rightfully proud of their gardens and want to show it off.”

There will be four categories to apply for: Small garden, large garden, community garden, and young person’s garden. Residents can pick up an application form from their local library or from the Focus Learning Centre in Saltcoats.

Alternatively, email participatorybudgeting@ north-ayrshire.gov.uk or call 01294 604612 and one can be sent to you.

You can also download a copy of the entry form at http://www. northayrshire. community/2018/07/3-towns-best-gardencompetition/ Applications for the competition will close on August 10 and entrants will be asked to submit a maximum of three photos of your garden by August 22.

This will allow judges to shortlist the gardens progressing to the final.

The judging panel will visit finalists and select winners in the first week of September.

There will be prizes awarded for each category and a plaque will be presented to the overall winner.