DARWEN'S St John Ambulance Hall was taken over by colourful blooms during Darwen Civic Society's Darwen Schools Bulb Competition and Exhibition.

All 11 of the town's primary schools got involved in the annual event in which they are given bulbs to grow during the year.

They watch them bloom into daffodils, hyacinths and narcissus and before the exhibition they are judged.

First, second and third place prizes are awarded to each school, as well as trophies for the three best entrants overall and a cup for the school with the best quality of entries.

Ashleigh Primary won the best school while Ryan Tzvetanor, of St Peter's, won best overall entry, with Jake Rickard, of Holy Trinity, in second and Jade Wearing, of Lower Darwen, in third.

Jack Fisher, from the Darwen Civic Society, said: "All 11 schools took part with substantial entries from them all. It was one of the best quality competitions we have had in years. We were very pleased with the response."

Prizes were presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Mike Barrett and his wife Moira.