From a poignant depiction of an old man at home alone, to a snowman made from tyres, Hadleigh's independent businesses and residents gave the town's mayor a dilemma trying to pick out a winner in this year's Christmas window display competition.

Ultimately, the combination of joy, Christmassy and effort encapsulated by A Touch of Beauty's window scooped top prize in the business category, while Jo Hammond's classy hares in her George Street window, leapt out a winners of the residents category.

Mayor Frank Minns, with competition organiser Angela Wiltshire, visited all 23 registered contenders on Friday evening to judge from the top class displays epitomising Hadleigh's artistic talent, sheer determination to carry on no matter what, and the ability to bring joy in the darkest of times.

Winners Terrie Redmore and Ellen Hufford of A Touch of Beauty, opposite Partridges in George Street, spent lockdown creating a unique display made up of carefully created wooden roundels painted with Christmas messages and a tribute to the NHS and their thoughts on 2020.

With snowmen made from socks, everything was hand-made and their eye-catching window has been putting smiles on the faces of passers by since lockdown two finished.

In among the traditional scenes on the wooden cut-offs is one that sums of the year by saying: 'Stink, stank, stunk - 2020.'

"We have had lots of lovely comments," said Terrie. "One lady told us she had been walking past when we were closed but the window lit up and it made her smile, and that's what it is about for us.

"We had lots of time during lockdown so we thought we would make things for Christmas and it gave us something to focus on.

"People are quite surprised when they find out it is all handmade but they all seem to like it."

Using three categories to judge by; Christmassy, joy and effort, Cllr Minns felt A Touch of Beauty had ticked all three boxes to high level.

"There were some exceptional windows, but there was something special about a Touch of Beauty's," he said. "It had that extra bit of charm, that perhaps the others did not have to the same extent. That's what made the difference for me.

"The thing that struck me was, it was really Christmassy, it was really happy and what was so striking was they had spend to so much tie in lockdown making all the stuff in advance of Christmas.

"Some of the things in the window were so sweet and charming, which made it irresistible."

Further up the road, in the home that used to house chocolate makers Hadleigh Maid, another display sculpted from willow, twigs and foliage, made by artist Jo Hammond, stood out for judge Cllr Minns.

With two leaping hares framed by twinkling lights and weaved willow, Jo is hoping the window display will be a conversation starter as she gets to meet her new neighbours in Hadleigh after recently moving here with her mother.

"I thought it would be a really good idea to put something in the window," said Jo. "People tend to be walking past on the opposite side of the road but when I have been out they have commented on how lovely they think it is."

As well as make a lot of willow sculptures, Jo teaches the craft to students at Coastal Leisure Learning, the Old Bank Studio in Harwich and Otley College, while some of her work can be found at Merchants Table shop in Woodbridge.

The unique display tipped the balance fro Cllr Minns who said: "It was quite different to the other four which were very colourful and were very obvious Christmassy but this one was an extraordinary display with its foliage and lights and two marvellous leaping hares made from wicker.

"It was something very different, not in your face Christmas but very special which is why I chose it. All the other were brilliant but this one had something about it, which is why I had to go for it."

Both winners will receive a special certificate and the mayor was impressed at the effort everyone made to to take part.

"This has shown Hadleigh at its best and with the trees going up with will make the High Street look lovely," said Cllr Minns.

"It would have been so easy for people to say 'oh I can't be bothered' or 'I'm too depressed' but people have really made an effort and the High Street looks brilliant."

• Scroll right on top image for more pictures.

Full list of registered contenders:

A Touch of Beauty

The Post Office

Adnams

Forget Me Not

Erivica cakes

Ruby Moo/ Adorn Tattoo

Mung Bean

Avis Newsagent

Ferguson's Deli

Amanda Hunt, High Street

Jane Snowden Gabriel Cottage, Angel St