Canal theme makes splash to win gold

The entry with its stunning centrepiece recreating 12ft high lock gates spilling water from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal finally took the highest award at the eighth attempt.

Leader of the council Coun Andrew Carter, said: "This is a day we have all dreamed of since Leeds first started coming to Chelsea competing with the best in the world and winning a gold medal. It is an absolutely fantastic achievement for the city of Leeds and we are all delighted beyond words.

"Congratulations go to the whole Parks and Countryside team and we must say a huge thank you to our sponsors Hesco Bastion for their invaluable support."

Best Show Garden overall went to Andy Sturgeon for his entry for the Daily Telegraph while Yorkshire-born garden designer Mark Gregory also won his third gold medal in a row for his design for the Children's Society.

In the Best Urban Garden category there were Silver Flora awards for both Jamie Dunstan, from Braithwaite, near Rotherham, with his Go Modern garden and for the team behind the UK skills garden including Grant Finch, 19 from Scarborough and Keith Chapman, 24, from Richmond, who both studied at Askham Bryan College.

The rhubarb crumble and custard-themed garden designed by Gillespies for Welcome to Yorkshire also received a Silver Flora in the Best Courtyard Garden section where Graham Bodle won a Silver-Gilt Flora with his first ever Chelsea garden for Walkers Nurseries of Blaxton, Doncaster.