BUSINESSES in Wimborne put their creativity to the test in a shop window competition and the winners have now been announced.

Organised by Planet Wimborne as part of their week-long Wimborne Green Festival, shops were asked to get stuck in and create a window display on this year’s festival theme- rivers.

The theme was particularly apt this year, given the Rivers Allen and Stour pass through and by the town.

Members of the public were encouraged to stroll around the town to admire the ingenuity of the shops and vote for their favourite window.

Winning businesses:

First place went to the Fair Ground shop in the Corn Market, while 33 Boutique and The Ear Clinic, both found on the High Street, came in second and third place.

The certificates and prizes were presented by councillor Jeff Hart, Wimborne Mayor and a Planet Wimborne director, and Duncan Jones, a Wimborne BID director.

Runners up, 33 Boutique. From L to R: Duncan Jones, Diane Wright and Maria Keniston and cllr Jeff Hart Picture: Planet Wimborne

Sarah Wise, from the winning team at the Fair Ground shop, said: “We are so pleased to have won and thank the public for their votes.

“Our rivers need all the help they can get and so it’s great for shops to show off what they can do and grab customers’ attention about the health of our rivers.”

Duncan Jones, Wimborne BID Director, said: “Businesses in Wimborne really feel the importance of sustainability and events like this are so important to raise awareness of environmental issues, as well as getting people to visit and explore our town.”

Third place, Wimborne Ear Clinic. From L to R: Duncan Jones, April Norris, Mandy Joyce and Tracey Cahill and cllr Jeff Hart Picture: Planet Wimborne

Dr Neil Smith, Planet Wimborne Director, said: “We are so pleased so many shops took part in the festival’s window display competition.

“We were keen to get as many businesses as possible involved in the festival and they have not let us down.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the BID to help businesses showcase how they are adopting more sustainable practices.”

Planet Wimborne and Wimborne BID would like to thank all the shops for taking part and applaud their creativity.

They would also like to thank the Tivoli Theatre and Wimborne Tandoori for donating generous prizes