HUNTINGDON is again celebrating awards in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Huntingdon in Bloom picked up a silver gilt award in the large towns category, while Moor in Bloom picked up a bronze award in the urban category in Saturday’s final at St Peter Port, Guernsey, hosted by Matt Baker, from BBC’s The One Show.

Huntingdon in Bloom chairman Peter Jackson and Anne Colbert were named community champions.

Ms Colbert said: “Our category had nine finalists. We managed to come above Chichester and Dumfries, which are much larger towns with larger budgets. For the size of our town we have done really well and we are very proud of our achievement. It was a surprise to pick up our personal awards, and they spoke about how we’d kept Huntingdon in the competition for 12 years. It’s been a hard year with the rain but I think the flowers actually enjoyed getting the rain.”

Mr Jackson said it was “pretty fantastic” to be bringing the silver gilt award to Huntingdon.

Moor in Bloom lost out to Chirk, near Wrexham, and Kippax, near Leeds, joint winners of the Urban Community category. Jill Watkin-Tavener, chairman of the Oxmoor Community Action Group, said they were proud to be winners.

Martyn Hird, a Royal Horticultural Society judge, said: “The judges were impressed by the way that Moor in Bloom has rejuvenated this urban community, tackling previous issues and instilling community pride through the Britain in Bloom Campaign.

“We met an enthusiastic and dedicated group that had taken on many responsibilities to improve their area. Working together, particularly with the local housing association and their street representatives, they had achieved a high level of cleanliness, brightened up shopping areas and were bringing horticulture into their community.”

Last month, Anglia in Bloom announced that Huntingdon had retained its gold status and Moor in Bloom was given a silver award.