BURY has capped a decade of environmental success by winning its first Gold Award in the 2013 RHS Britain in Bloom finals ‘“small city” category.

The town was also chosen out of nearly 80 finalists to receive the Environmental Responsibility Award for best demonstrating good management of resources.

It follows on from another triumph at the regional North West in Bloom awards, when Bury was announced as “Best large town” for the 10th successive year and also given a gold award.

On the national Gold Award, RHS judges said: “It was great to see this dynamic North West town back in the national finals of Britain in Bloom, especially noting the financial climate and its effect on civic horticulture.

“The Bury in Bloom campaign has risen to the challenge and produced an outstanding entry, changing much of the seasonal planting to perennials and taking note of their experience in the campaign over the past few years.

“First entered 11 years ago, Bury now ranks as one of the best in the region and with this year’s Gold Award-winning entry the town is now at the very pinnacle of the national Bloom campaign.”

An RHS spokesman said about the environmental responsibility award: “At most places we visited on our tour, we met recycling officers working on initiatives to improve percentages. Bury was different. Bury was very serious about not just increasing rates but was leading by example, working within the council.

“Bury has moved from one of the lowest recycling towns in Greater Manchester at 28 per cent to the third best at 46 per cent, with plans to top 50 per cent during 2014.

“Its recycling team regularly goes out to schools to work on projects. It has displays to make you think and act and that cover every aspect of environmental responsibility — recycling, food sense, energy consumption and the search for residents to become green ambassadors.”

Cllr Jane Lewis, cabinet member for leisure, tourism and culture, said: “I am delighted and proud that Bury has won these prestigious national and regional awards.

“To attain a national Gold Award and be at the top of the regional contest for 10 years running is an amazing feat.

“Not only is this great news for our borough, it’s a fantastic reward for our hands-on community volunteers, business sponsors and council workforce as well as many of our schools and all our residents that have embraced recycling and made it a part of their daily life.

“Everyone’s contribution has been vital to keeping our town looking its best for everyone who lives, works, studies and visits the borough.”

In the North West in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards, Stock Street residents and Walnut Avenue allotments both improved on their results last year, by moving up a level from ‘“developing” to “thriving”.