First prize in this year's Home Hardware Christmas window dressing competition has been scooped by the Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire store Watson Home Hardware.
Lennie Watson received £100-worth of vouchers, while Alison Serret from Slees Home Hardware in Braunton, Devon, took the second prize of £50 in vouchers.

All Home Hardware retailers were invited to participate in the competition, and the overall standard of entry was exceptionally high, said Home Hardware.

The competition was judged by an independent panel, which took into account window content, products featured, layout, use of props, use of point-of-sale material, lighting and overall maintenance of displays.

"The competition encourages retailers to make a special effort for the festive period," said Home Hardware marketing manager Beverley Wood.

"This helps add to the special ambience in the run-up to Christmas and makes members' stores more attractive and welcoming. Over the last few weeks we've seen retailers raising the bar and working hard to make their window displays highly attractive to the consumer.

"The judges had a hard decision in selecting a winner but Watson's eye-catching, well-lit windows certainly offered the wow factor. Customers are in for a seasonal treat."

Lennie Watson added: "Last year we were runners-up in this competition, which gave us an extra incentive to exercise our flair and originality to be even more creative this year. We're delighted with the outcome and would like to thank our staff for their hard work. We hope our windows will attract more visitors than usual to Sutton-on-Sea during the crucial Christmas trading period."