THE efforts of community gardeners from across the North-East have been recognised at the annual Northumbria in Bloom awards.

In the 50th year of the awards more than 120 villages, towns, businesses and volunteer groups were honoured at a ceremony held in Gosforth Park.

The big winner was the tiny village of Moorsholm, in East Cleveland, which was awarded the Percy Boydell Trophy for best overall entry, as well as the trophy for best small village and a gold medal certificate.

The village, described by the judges as ‘remarkable’ for being supported by such a large proportion of its population, will go on to represent the region in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

Other major winners included Sedgefield, which was named best small town; Durham took the honours as best large town and Sunderland was handed the prize for best city.

Representatives from Redcar and Cleveland thrived this year, with Saltburn awarded the title for best coastal resort while Eston, near Middlesbrough, was named best urban community, to add to Moorsholm’s accolades.

Saltburn in Bloom committee member Stuart Smith said: “We don’t do it for the awards, we do it for the town because we just want to make the town look as good as possible, but this is just a bonus for us all really.

“The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers who help out.”

The award for the most improved entry was handed to Middleton St George, near Darlington, which has progressed from a bronze award two years ago to a silver gilt this year.

Valerie Porter, who led a small team of volunteers and grew more than 2,000 bedding plants in her greenhouse, said it was important to get the community involved to be successful.

She added: “I helped out last year and it ended up just being me doing all the watering for the whole village, which was taking more than an hour every night.

“This year, when I planted up tubs and baskets I went and knocked on the door of the houses nearby and asked people to water them when they did their own – you need to give people something to do without giving them too much.

“I was delighted just to improve to silver gilt so when they gave us the extra award I couldn’t believe it.”

The winners of the major awards:

Best Small Village Great Whittington, Northumberland

Best Village Moorsholm, Redcar and Cleveland

Best Large Village Warkworth, Northumberland

Best Small Town Sedgefield, Co Durham

Best Town Morpeth, Northumberland

Best Large Town Durham

Best Small City Washington

Best Large City Sunderland

Best Urban Community Eston, Redcar and Cleveland

Best Coastal Resort Saltburn by the Sea, Redcar and Cleveland

Most Improved Entry Middleton St George, Darlington

Best Overall Entry Moorsholm