Businesses in Falmouth have been praised for taking the time to spread some joy in "incredibly challenging circumstances".

Despite being hit by the effect of coronavirus outbreak and the many restrictions that come with it, 20 businesses still decorated for this year's Spring Window Display Competition - the only part of Falmouth Spring Festival to take place this year.

Falmouth BID, which organised the competition, said: "Given the incredibly challenging circumstances we are all facing, it was

fantastic to see 20 businesses taking the time and effort to decorate their windows."

Ciuri Ciuri, The Cornish Store and Inkfish were crowned the three winners.

Retailers were encouraged to get creative by dressing up their windows in a spring theme and the competition was judged on Wednesday by Falmouth mayor Steve Eva, Falmouth BID manager Richard Wilcox and Emma Webster of the Falmouth Town Team.

Emma said: “We asked for imagination, colour and originality and the businesses certainly delivered.

“We had everything from fresh flowers to papier mâché animals, hidden Easter eggs to Easter trains.

"Every window had clearly been lovingly designed and handcrafted which meant the judging process was particularly tough.”

Falmouth BID teamed up with businesses in the town, which donated prizes: a £50 Seasalt voucher, a cream tea for two at The Greenbank Hotel and an afternoon swim and leisure session at The Falmouth Hotel were all up for grabs.

The displays should be up for the next few weeks at The Black Pearl, March Hare, Cornwall Art Galleries, Inkfish, RTP Surveyors, The Cornish Store, Beside The Wave, Shubie Surf, Ciuri Ciuri, Barclays Bank, Trago Mills, Reynolds and Slater Opticians, The Juniper Club, Pants Cancers, Cavendish Café, A Gift From Cornwall, Beside the Wave gallery, Falmouth Haven and The Falmouth Bookseller.

Falmouth BID added that it would like to thank all the businesses who took part, with special thanks to Seasalt, The Falmouth Hotel and The Greenbank Hotel for their continued support with local initiatives and events, along with the mayor Steve Eva and Falmouth Packet editor Steve Smith for their engagement.