THE continuing annual rise of entries for the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston In Bloom competition is delighting organisers.And none more so than in the community section - covering community housing, private and council, said organiser Sue Hacon, following this year's annual awards at the Town Hall.

THE continuing annual rise of entries for the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston In Bloom competition is delighting organisers.

And none more so than in the community section - covering community housing, private and council, said organiser Sue Hacon, following this year's annual awards at the Town Hall.

On Friday night, gardeners gathered to receive certificates, trophies and shields as reward for all their hard work in making their gardens, communities, streets and businesses bright and colourful. Presentations were made by the mayor and mayoress, Tony and Sara Smith.

The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston In Bloom special award went to Mrs and Mrs Marlow, of Whimbrell Close, Bradwell. Mrs Hacon said: “This award goes to those people who have been consistent entries into the competition or who have played a significant part in Anglia in Bloom and Yarmouth in Bloom. I have been visiting their garden for 20 years, from when they first moved into their home.” Mrs Hacon went on to describe how the garden had been transformed and featured a large water feature which ran from top to the bottom of the garden.

In praising the community entries, she said when the awards first started there were five areas which entered; this year there were 16 and of those five had achieved RHS Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards. They were Cherry Road, Gorleston; St Mary's, Hemsby; Portland Court, Yarmouth; Hawkins Close, Yarmouth; and Harry Miller Court, Yarmouth. Cherry Road, St Mary's and Portland Court earned RHS “outstanding” awards, and Hawkins Close and Harry Smiller Court the second highest award

in the honours.

For the first time in the Yarmouth and Gorleston competition the Best Village category was shared - Filby and Winterton taking joint first; and in the group for gardens over 60sq m, the winners were first-time entrants Richard and Sarah Flatman of Mautby.