Southern Water is a major sponsor of the prestigious South and South East in Bloom competition, which sees thousands of gardeners battle it out each year across this green corner of England.

The competition is the cornerstone of communities and districts across the region but also part of the largest horticultural campaign in Europe.

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, it encourages communities to create floral features, permanent planting, wildflower meadows, planting for nature, fruit and vegetables and much more.

Entries are invited each year across Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Surrey, Dorset and Wiltshire for communities to make positive and lasting sustainable improvements to their environments.

In 2010/11, there were a record 259 entries in 17 categories ranging from neighbourhoods to city centres, and small villages to coastal resorts. To see a list of winners, click here. To see winners from previous years, use the links on the left of the page.

Thousands of schoolchildren also created gardens at 93 schools as part of the Blooming Schools programme, which encourages children aged five to 18 to create a garden in their school grounds.

Expert judges toured the region and awarded marks based on a range of criteria, including how water-efficient entrants have been. To see a list of winners, click here.

The bloom contest takes into account sustainability as much as floral spectacle.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony at Gillingham Football Club, Kent and presented with Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt or Gold awards, with an overall winner from each category.

Winners of the regional competitions are put forward to represent their region in the National Britain in Bloom awards. sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, and the winners of this go on to represent the UK in the European competition, Entente Florale.

To find out more, contact South and South East in Bloom on 0208 662 1021 or visit www.sseib.com.