Children whose art brightened up Marlborough’s High Street during the judging of South West in Bloom have been rewarded for their work.

Windows at the empty Rowlands store, which closed in March, were filled with entries to the Marlborough in Bloom art competition on the theme of poppies.

Mayor Marian Hannaford-Dobson gave out certificates last Thursday, to the children at St Peter’s Primary School who came first, second and third in each year group for the junior category.

Headteacher Caroline Spindlow said: “The children absolutely loved it. They really enjoyed the fact that it was a poppy theme.

“It was something that really resonated with them and they were all very creative.

“The mayor said it took them two days to choose a winner.”

On Monday, it was the turn of children at St Mary’s and Preshute schools, who entered the under-six category.

Coun Hannaford-Dobson said: “I was absolutely amazed at the standard of art and the understanding the children had of the importance of the poppy.

“Their teachers had taken the time to explain the significance of the poppy, the First World War and the centenary.

“It was very difficult to chose a winner, especially for St Peter’s because the whole school entered, so I had hundreds of entries spread across the town hall.”

The overall winner in the junior category was Arwen Crook, of St Peter’s, and in the under-six category was Lottie Turnell of St Mary’s.

Both will go through to the final of the South West in Bloom children’s painting competition.