TAKING a bow – and a very big and beautiful one at that – was The Garage in the Post’s popular annual Christmas Shop Window Display Competition.

It may not have a window but the creative folk at the vintage and retro emporium make up for that in inventiveness each year.

And their eye-catching, present-themed dazzler in green, red and tartan picked up first place of the 27 shops in Petersfield which entered.

The Garage owner Cressy Luke, who put together the festive display with Karina Swann and Davey Matthews, said: “We have a lot of fun each year with the theme and it means so much to be able to share the fun.

“Because we don’t have a window, we just have a concrete box, we have to think outside the box.

“It’s been lovely hearing young children stop outside and ask if they can go inside the present. The bow is big, but less is not more when it comes to bows.”

The entries were a delight to judge, ranging from the quirky and the fun, to the tasteful and the traditional.

Keeping it ice-cool was runner-up Vintage and Vogue in Chapel Street with a fantasy-inspired, handpainted wildlife scene.

Madeleine’s Kitchen, an addition to the town this year, in Lavant Street, was another runner-up with its delicate hanging twigs entwined with iced gingerbread decorations.

And previous winner Wild Damson in Dragon Street, a runner up this year, impressed again with its gorgeous window, adorned with a dolls house street scene.

Highly commended was the Great British Cake Shop in Lavant Street, which featured an iced cake, bunting and tree.

For their recycling creativity, highly commended also went to M&L?Solicitors, High Street, where Petersfield Infant School pupils had made a nativity scene.

And two sports shops in Chapel Street – Cycle Works and Sports Locker – made good use of their merchandise for two more highly commended displays.