TOWNS and villages across Essex and Suffolk are celebrating after their green fingered efforts were honoured at the annual Anglia in Bloom awards. The historic town of Brightlingsea was crowned overall winner of the awards at an awards ceremony in Norwich yesterday after competing against entrants from five other counties.

Annie Davidson

TOWNS and villages across Essex and Suffolk are celebrating after their green fingered efforts were honoured at the annual Anglia in Bloom awards.

The historic town of Brightlingsea was crowned overall winner of the awards at an awards ceremony in Norwich yesterday after competing against entrants from five other counties.

Brightlingsea's success follows on from it winning best large town in last year's awards and it also won best community project yesterday for Springmead Gardens.

The genteel resort of Frinton scooped the best small town award for the second year running and best drought garden for a display at the Triangle shopping centre.

Saxmundham's Somerfield Fromas Estate was the best industrial/commercial area winner while Brampton village primary school won best young person's project for under 12 years with its eco garden.

Brightlingsea mayor Graham Steady said he was delighted at the town's success.

“Really it is just another in a long line of awards which Brightlingsea in Bloom has achieved over the years - it has gone from strength to strength,” he said.

“And it shows the strength of the community - I always think when I see the displays 'how do you better that' but they keep and improving on what they have got and long may that continue.”

Bury St Edmunds' rich floral traditions continued as it won the gold award in the large town category - but was pipped to the overall title by Wisbech.

The town enjoyed even greater success in the best young persons project, aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds, won by the students' recycling sculpture at the West Suffolk College.

Members of the Sudbury in Bloom team spoke of their delight after landing a silver gilt award and a top prize in the best conservation project.

Committee vice-chairman Nick Irwin said: “We are very pleased with the results and we think it has recognised all the hard work that has been put in.”

The silver award came in the town category while Sudbury's Kone Valley and Eden Rose Coppice was named best conservation project.

There was also a silver gilt award for the town in the best railway station category - with Mr Irwin paying particular tribute to the work carried out by volunteers and station staff.

There was further success in west Suffolk when Clare was named as a silver award winner in the large village category.