GOOD neighbours John Murphy and Ann Whiteside are celebrating their success in this year's garden competition sponsored by Cosmopolitan Housing Association for its Halton residents.

Mr Murphy and his family have lived in their Halton Lodge bungalow for only five months but John, with Anne's help, has transformed their two lawns into one single, colourful patio of potted plants and shrubs.

For John, now retired from ICI, it has been a labour of love.

His wife Ellen is partially disabled and is able to enjoy the sights and smells of the bigger garden and loves sitting out in it.

This was the fifth year that Cosmopolitan have staged the competition and as chief executive Geoff Redhead said: "It is a reward for our investment in Halton to see tenants and residents taking so much pride in their surroundings, and to see John and Ann co-operating to make a beautiful open space."

Cosmopolitan manages more than 400 homes in the Runcorn and Halton area and this year alone will invest more than £130,000 in the area on maintenance and decorating, repairs and environmental improvements.

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