Heads turn when they pass Kathleen Smith's Westcliff garden.

Full of blooms, the carefully tended lawn and beds in front of her flat in The Leas is her pride and joy.

Judges of this year's Southend in Bloom competition were so impressed they awarded green-fingered Mrs Smith the runner-up prize in the outstanding front garden section.

In bloom - Kathleen Smith won runner-up prize

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.