BURY is celebrating another blooming marvellous result after beating off competition in a regional horticultural contest.

Bury has scooped its 14th consecutive gold award at North West Britain in Bloom.

Thanks to a huge community effort, the borough has maintained its title in the Best Small City category.

Radcliffe also clinched a silver-gilt award for the third consecutive year in the Best Large Town category, missing out to Congleton.

To retain the winning title, Bury fought off competition from neighbouring Rochdale as well as Chorley and Middleton.

Other success was found in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards, which were bestowed on Stock Street, Red Bank Extra Care Scheme, Eden Gardens Allotment, Abbey Close Tenant and Resident Association, and Diggle Lane Allotments.

Judges from Britain in Bloom North West visited Bury and Radcliffe in July this year.

They said of the results: “Upon entering Bury there is no doubt that this is a ‘bloom’ entry. The imaginative horticultural displays celebrating local heritage all tell a story and are really interesting to look at.

“The approach to partnership working with voluntary groups and other organisations, together with the involvement of the local business community, is paying dividends in these difficult financial times and helping to ensure continued success.

“Radcliffe has its own unique identity and as part of this its very own enthusiastic ‘in bloom’ group. Overall the environmental quality was excellent and a credit to the street scene team and the volunteers.

“You have much to be proud of in Bury and in Radcliffe and you are to be congratulated on what has been achieved.”

The annual awards encourage communities to improve the environment through planting, landscaping and conservation projects.

This year’s winners were announced during a ceremony in Southport on Friday, November 3.

The regional results follow Bury’s silver gilt victory at the national Britain in Bloom competition.

Cllr Alan Quinn, who is Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our track record in Britain in Bloom and Britain in Bloom North West make me incredibly proud to belong to this borough.

“Bury in Bloom is a long-standing successful campaign resulting from a fantastic community effort.

“My congratulations go to everyone that has helped make this happen - the workforce, community groups, hands-on volunteers, schools and local businesses.

“To keep on winning such prestigious awards for Bury and for Radcliffe really is a culmination of many years’ hard work.”

The ‘In Bloom’ campaigns have been supported by Summerseat and Newbank garden centres among others.

To get involved with Bury in Bloom or Radcliffe in Bloom, email parks.countryside@bury.gov.uk or call 0161 253 5266.