Newcastle-under-Lyme's blooms crowned best in country

A blooming borough has marked its 850th anniversary by winning the top prize in a national competition.

Newcastle-Under-Lyme was awarded the overall prize at the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom contest.

It also picked up the gold award and won its category as best UK small city.

Borough council leader Simon Tagg said it had been a community effort and added volunteers had put in the equivalent of 4,000 hours of work.

"I am delighted that we have been judged the best of the best, especially in the year that we celebrate our 850th anniversary," he said.

"It is impossible to win this prize unless the whole community pulls together - schools, businesses, community groups and volunteers have worked together to make this possible and I am so proud of this shared achievement."

RHS judges visited in the summer, looking at traditional floral displays as well as projects by community groups and volunteers.

They visited areas including Bradwell, Silverdale and Knutton.

They took in gardens, including Queens Gardens which has been planted with annual bedding on the theme of the 850th celebrations. Hundreds of lime trees were also planted at the newly-created Lyme Forest - a nod to the ancient forests that gave the Staffordshire borough its name.

Mr Tagg added taking part in the contests made where they lived a better place.

The council said it had shown "consistently high standards" for its flowers and gardens, previously winning a gold award 21 times and regional championships three times.

However, this was the first time it had taken the overall top prize.

Oswestry in Shropshire scooped the winning spot in the Large Town category.

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