GREEN fingered vegetable growers have brought back Bolton's annual onion and leek show — after a 24 year absence.

Following the demise of the Horwich Vegetable Show earlier this year, there was no borough-wide competition open to allotment growers in Bolton.

And so following an absence of 24 years the Association of Bolton Allotment Societies (Abas) re-introduced its Onion and Leek Show at the request of members.

Abas covers 550 of the 1,000 Bolton Council-owned plots in the area — but the competition was open to any plot-holder on any site in the borough.

The show was held at the Astley Bridge Cricket Club on Sunday and attracted more than 80 entries in its 14 vegetable classes.

Judging was by John Woods of the National Vegetable Society who said he was very impressed with the standard and quality of the vegetables entered in the show.

The main awards were:

* BAC Challenge Trophy for Most Points gained in Show by an Allotment Site — Tonge Fold Allotments Society

* Collection of four vegetables — Les Butterworth

* Secretary's shield for most points in show — Les Butterworth

* Stan Pickles Trophy and NVS Silver Medal for Most Meritorious Vegetable in Show — Jeff Gibson

Terry Farrell, show manager, said the show had been a great success and that Abas hoped to build on this in 2016 by bringing the show forward in the growing season to increase the range of produce covered and make the show even more varied.

George Holmes, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton, presented the awards.

The event was also supported by the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund.

Thanks was also given to the event's other sponsors as well as Astley Bridge Cricket Club who provided the venue and refreshments.