A green-fingered 95-year-old Cockermouth man has won a town gardening competition - for the sixth time.

Thomas Baxter, of Norwood Drive, was delighted to win first prize in the All Saints ward large garden category of the annual competition run by the town council.

The sprightly pensioner spends at least eight hours a day in his colourful corner garden which is admired by many passersby every day.

Hundreds of bright begonias are lovingly looked after, the lawns are bowling green standard and trees, shrubs and hedges perfectly sculpted.

Mr Baxter is sometimes in his garden at 5.30am and can regularly be seen up a ladder with his hand shears, trimming his creations.

The retired farmer said: “I have been a busy man all my life and it’s never left me.

"Television is not my thing, I'd sooner be out working.”

He loves begonias and busy lizzie plants. "I keep the frost off them, in the green house, over winter. I must have six or seven hundred of them, in all colours. I take pot luck," said Mr Baxter, who is widowed.

"Many people comment as they pass by the garden. It takes me longer to do things now but I still enjoy it.

"It's not been great weather this summer but the plants seem satisfied."

Mr Baxter has two daughters, three grandsons and five great grandchildren.

"I cook myself a hot meal every day and like going down to the farmer’s auctions for the crack," he said.

"I see all my friends there, although a lot of them have gone now though."

Councillors looked around all the town gardens and allotments before selecting the winners.

A prize-giving ceremony for all winners will be staged at the town hall in September.

Results.

All Saints Ward: Large Garden - 1 Mr T Baxter, Norwood Drive; 2 Mr & Mrs Noble, Cherry Lane. Small Garden - 1 Mr & Mrs Green, Culgarth Avenue; 2 Mr & Mrs McCune, Windmill Lane.

Christ Church Ward: Large Garden - 1 Mr & Mrs Huddart, Parkside Avenue; 2 Mr & Mrs Parnaby, Harrot Hill. Small Garden: 1 Mr & Mrs Thornthwaite, Dunmail Crescent; 2 Mrs M Conner, Brackenhill Lane.

Best Floral Display: 1 1 Market Street, 2 Honest Lawyer.

Allotment Competitions. Gote: 1 Mrs Seymour, 2 Mr P Routledge; Most Improved – Mrs H Williamson.

St Helen Street: 1 Mrs B Boidin, 2 Mrs J Edge; Most Improved Mrs J Irving.