YOUNG gardeners have been showing Oxford in Bloom judges the fruits of their labours.

Judges Harry Robinson and Trisha Stevens visited five schools and community groups in the city for this year’s contest, backed by the Oxford Mail.

They saw Rye St Antony School, in Pullens Lane, and Wood Farm Primary School, Titup Hall Drive, East Oxford Primary School, East Oxford Children’s Centre, both in Union Street, and Pegasus Primary School in Blackbird Leys.

Mr Robinson said: “I think they are better this year than they have been in the past and there appears to be much more hands-on involvement.

“We usually go to schools and they say that the parents come along and work the gardens. That’s not the point. There’s definitely been an improvement.”

East Oxford Primary School headteacher Sue Widgery, with pupils Mohammed Alam, seven, and Alexia El-Dabi, five, showed judges beds, a meadow area and vegetable plots.

She said: “If the children are involved in it, we find they will keep it carefully.”

Mohammed said: “I like it when the plants grow and they get really big.”

East Oxford Children’s Centre visitors helped create green corners in the play area. Sakina Butt, of the centre, said: “We try and get the parents and children to work together.

“We’ve only had this garden a year and it’s developed really well.”

All the children at Pegasus Primary School are involved in the school’s sprawling allotments project. Shelby Tutty, nine, of Greater Leys, said: “I feel quite proud of myself because I have helped something grow.”

Libby Harris, nine, of Blackbird Leys, said: “My favourite part of it is where the peas grow.”

Fiona Thompson-Tur, who co-ordinated the entry, said: “We use the food we have grown in our school lunches and it also goes into the cafe.”

Rye St Antony School pupils planted two large flower boxes and have grown herbs and vegetables.

Jo Reed, head of the junior school, said: “We were really keen to get the children involved.”

Timber offcuts were used to create new beds at Wood Farm Primary School, which is in the middle of a multi-million pound rebuild.

Headteacher David Lewin said: “The children have really enjoyed learning about growing food.”

Non-school entries will be judged next week. The winners will be announced at a September ceremony.