Proud of your garden, allotment or vegetable patch, big or small?

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has launched a Virtual Glorious Gardens competition in a bid to find some hidden treasures across Dorset.

The contest is open to everyone, from Bournemouth to Bloxworth, Sherborne to Swanage.

Entries are open from June 1 to 30 with the following categories:

• Best allotment or vegetable patch
• Best general garden
• Best small creative space
• Best children’s garden picture or artwork (drawing, painting, collage etc.).

The entry cost is £5 per category for adults, or £2.50 for a child (under 12), and can be made online via the campaign page.

Email [email protected] with your garden photo or picture and which category you would like your photo to be entered into.

Entrants can submit up to two photos per category, in colour or black and white.

You can also enter all four categories.

You need to include your name, location, for example ‘Wimborne’, email address, plus a daytime contact number.

Image file names must be saved with your full name and location.

Tom Goodinge, Director of Fundraising, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care,pictured left, said: “We are so proud to be able to launch our Virtual Glorious Dorset Gardens competition during this difficult time we are all experiencing.

“We thought if people can’t go and visit each other’s gardens then let’s bring the gardens to them in another way.

“Gardens of all shapes and sizes can be entered. Even if you have a little balcony garden, we want to see it.

“Our marvellous, green-fingered supporters will be featured in the Bournemouth Daily Echo throughout the month of July and a guest judging panel will make the final decisions on who they think are the worthy winners.

“If you are lucky enough to win the top spot and be crowned one of Dorset’s most glorious gardens you will be featured on the winners page in the Echo and receive a prize.

“We’re rooting for everyone to join in on the competition, because at this time of year gardens really come into their own.

“Gardens and allotments are adding some much-needed enjoyment, exercise and respite during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“They are vital spaces for wellbeing and a way to battle the boredom during this time.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the entries, so please donate and submit your garden photos for us to share with the rest of Dorset.”

For more details on the competition please visit lewis-manning.co.uk/virtual-glorious-gardens-2020/

Anyone not wishing to take part in the Virtual Glorious Dorset Gardens competition can visit Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s JustGiving page and make a one-off donation or set up a regular monthly gift, justgiving.com/lewismanning.

You can also help by texting DORSETCARE to 70470 to give a gift of just £5 per month.