To tie in with TulipMania, Spalding's Welland Gallery united with Fens Food and Flower Festival to organise a competition for artists in the area.

Local firms chose their favourite work, mostly inspired by the area's rural landscape, and handed prizemoney to winning artists, who displayed their work in the function room of Spalding's South Holland Centre ahead of the World Tulip Summit.

Welland Gallery secretary Pat Smith said: "There was a lovely atmosphere and the art was of a very high standard."

Mrs Smith thanked the area's firms which had sponsored the art competition.

Bakkavor Staff Shop handed over £100 to Jane Tyler and Holbeach firm Taylors Bulbs gave £50 to Wendy Jeffries and £25 vouchers to Helen Wagner and David Cooper.

Artists Tina Brace, Patricia Connolly and Anne Harris won £50 from Flamingo, Smedleys Salads and the Welland Gallery/ Fens Food and Flowers while Elsoms Seeds, of Spalding, awarded £25 to Tina Marshall.