The Douglas primary schools' daffodil-growing competition has revealed some outstanding creativty. 

1680 entries were received for the competition, organised by Douglas Borough Council, with the parks section providing the schools not only with bulbs but also a total of five tonnes of compost.

At the prize presentation hosted by Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Carol Malarkey, JP, chairman of the regeneration and community advisory committee Councillor Stephen Pitts said: 'Competition was really fierce this year. 12 schools took part and with the standard of entries so high it made judging very difficult.'

The Overall Best School Daffodil award, sponsored by Scottish Widows, went to Layla Blayden, aged six, from  Anagh Coar School, winning the competition shield and £100 of book vouchers for her school. 

Best Overall School Daffodil winner Layla Blayden, six, with the Mayor, and, left to right, Anagh Coar Primary School headteacher Rob Coole and Juan Clarke and Andrew England of sponsors Scottish Widows

Presenting the shield Scottish Widows' managing director Juan Clarke thanked the Council, especially those behind the scenes, for organising the competition. He said the response to the competition was 'absolutely fantastic' and he recalled his own, not entirely successful, attempts at growing a daffodil as a child. 'In a world of rapid change - for businesses and for schools - it's good this competition has remained the same. There's something magical about planting a bulb or seeds, then caring for and nurturing a plant to full growth. It's a process that helps ground us and reminds us that sometimes it's important to do simple things and take enjoyment from that.'

The Overall Best School Decorated Pot prize went to Sophia Reid (pictured above with the Mayor and Mayoress) from Fairfield Primary School, winning for her school a silver cup and, from sponsors Zenith Industrial Products, £100 of book vouchers.