OTTERTON Garden Club show s entries may have been lower than expected, but the quality was top-notch, the organisers have revealed.

OTTERTON Garden Club show's entries may have been lower than expected, but the quality was top-notch, the organisers have revealed.

While the number of entries to the 80th autumn show fell short of organisers' expectations, the judges congratulated competitors for achieving high standards, especially in the vegetable classes.

Club chairman Ro Smith said: "Our total of around 175 exhibits almost exactly matched last autumn's performance, but it was well down on the 240 at this year's spring show in March.

"We were hoping for more, but several regular exhibitors were away and the poor weather in July and August probably restricted entries in the flower section.

"The outstanding quality, however, helped to make it an excellent event to celebrate the founding of our club back in 1929."

Star of the show with four trophies to her name was Diane Payne, who took the honours for most points overall, best fruit exhibit and top scores in the cut blooms and pot plant classes.

Other leading ladies to gain silverware were Joan Paver for home-made produce and Ros Pusey for her floral decoration.

Philip Greenhow won cups for most points in the fruit section and best collection of vegetables.

Club president Eric Paver also received two awards for most points with vegetables and best exhibit of cut flowers.

Stephen Locke and Ro Smith staged the best pot plant and vegetable exhibits, respectively, while 13-year-old Jack Mead earned the trophy for the most successful under-18 exhibitor.

Otterton Primary School, which now has its own allotment, made its debut in the vegetable classes, where it was awarded third prize and highly commended.

Nina Locke won the best picture award in the new photography section, of plants or gardens.

Cup-winners in the children's section were Emilia Copp and Stevie Mears.