GREEN-fingered schoolchildren were rewarded for their gardening skills in an annual crime prevention event.

Harwich and District Crime Prevention Panel held the eighth celebration of gardening, but for the first time there were no winners.

Treasurer of the panel Lesley Chambers, said this year's event is a celebration not a competition.

"The main aim is to encourage children to become more aware of their environment, and consequently the community at large, and to respect and value it more by being involved in all aspects and types of garden and gardening at their schools," she said.

The eight schools that took part have a range of garden types including wildlife areas, vegetable plots and even creative gardens that mix with the curriculum.

They were all commended and presented with bags of compost and a packet of vegetable and flower seeds as well as a selection of gardening books to be used for 2015 gardening projects.