THE annual competition to determine the best railway station garden along the Tarka Line, from Exeter to Barnstaple, has become a keenly contested summer event.

And never more so than this year.

Alan Clark, Tarka Rail Association (TRA) Stations Officer, who organises the annual challenge, said he was "immensely impressed by the dedicated work of station gardeners up and down the line, whose efforts make the journey through Devon’s glorious heartland even more beautiful."

Superb sunny weather greeted this year’s judge, Vicky Cropper, First Great Western’s Community and Events Officer, on her arrival from Paddington to visit each station along the line.

This year’s final scores - the sum of no fewer than six separate categories ranging from "design and best use of space" to "wildlife friendly" - were extremely close.

Yeoford placed second, narrowly beat Newton St Cyres into third place.

The 2015 winner is Chapelton, which was runner-up last year.

"Sadly, it’s the least used station along the line," noted Vicky, "but passengers should make a point of keeping their eyes on the window. If not, they’ll be missing a real treat!"