BUDDING gardeners did the borough proud after securing a silver-gilt in the Britain in Bloom finals.

This year was the seventh occasion Bury had been nominated to represent the North West in the national finals.

For 2017, Bury was also awarded a special discretionary Overcoming Adversity award after vandals ruined the grass and flowers, and thieves stole ornamental trees from outside the register office.

Bury has won a haul of awards in the annual Royal Horticultural Society’s competition, including two silvers, three silver-gilts and two golds.

Councillors, community groups and volunteers behind the Bury effort said: “The judges were inspired by the way Bury in Bloom has managed to tackle vandalism ‘head-on’ with unwavering resolve and particularly impressed by the determination of the Grounds Team to get on with the job and not be beaten.”

RHS Britain in Bloom is a nationwide community gardening campaign to transform cities, towns and villages and has been running since 1964.

Judges praised Bury’s innovative recycling initiatives as well as the range of floral feature displays incorporating wicker figures, silhouettes, vehicles and structures.

Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “With communities at its heart, Bury in Bloom inspires voluntary work and co-operation between communities and this is a tremendous result for the teams, community groups, businesses, schools and volunteers who all work tirelessly to improve the environment across Bury for all to enjoy.

“Thanks to their efforts, and sponsorship from the likes of Summerseat and Newbank garden centres, our annual ‘In Bloom’ campaigns are helping to increase civic pride and boost the local economy and they’re almost cost neutral to the council.

“Everyone involved deserves huge congratulations for helping to make Bury a great place in which to live, work, study and visit.”

Areas for development included introducing more sustainable planting and seeking ways to engage children and young people with the environment.

Elswick in Bloom, from Lancashire, pipped Bury to the post this year, with their bold floral displays, community participation and environmental responsibility.

But Cllr Quinn praised the Council’s teams for their pride and commitment and for working hard despite the difficulties they faced.