The efforts of green fingered enthusiasts in Great Yarmouth and Filby came up roses after their colourful floral displays scooped top awards in a national horticultural competition.

Both destinations were presented with silver gilt accolades at the finals of Britain in Bloom competition after wowing judges from the Royal Horticultural Society with their attractive displays, environmental prowess and community involvement.

The winners of the prestigious awards were announced at a glitzy ceremony last night (Saturday) and organisers from both groups were delighted to see their hard work pay off.

Sue Hacon, coordinator of Gorleston and Great Yarmouth in Bloom, said she was “over the moon” that Yarmouth had scooped the gleaming accolade in the coastal over 12k category, particularly because the town had not been entered in the awards for around five years.

She added: “To come in with a silver gilt is just amazing. It’s our hard work paying off but we don’t do it for ourselves, we do it for the town because we’re so proud to be in Great Yarmouth and we want to just promote and enhance whatever else is going on around the town.”

But Yarmouth’s blooms were not the only feature of the town recognised by the judges, as they also presented the resort a discretionary award in tourism and praised its traditional seaside feel, which ensured visitors’ return.

Mrs Hacon said this additional award was the “icing on the cake” for all those who had dedicated their time to keeping the town smelling and looking sweet.

“The (judges’) report said ‘Great Yarmouth has understood the benefits of keeping its horticultural standards high’ and there was evidence on the seafront and ‘when staying in one of the many guesthouses’,” she added.

“It’s so fantastic for the town that Britain in Bloom recognised what an excellent spot Yarmouth is.”

Filby meanwhile took a silver gilt in the village category adding to its haul of green fingered awards, which includes a gold in Britain in Bloom 2002.

Adrian Thompson, chairman of Filby in Bloom, thought the village had done well to hold its own against some very tough competition.

He added: “We don’t just do it for the competition, we do it because it benefits everyone and we get quite a few letters from holidaymakers who drive through and put pen to paper and say how nice it is.

“It’s not just about how it looks on judging day.”