Blooming fine city takes top award

The display disguises a rubbish bin at the city's Assembly Rooms

Norfolk is basking in glory after scooping a clutch of awards in this year's Anglia in Bloom Competition - including the top prize.

Norwich not only won the best overall entry from across the six counties, but also took the Anglia in Bloom Trophy and the prize for the best small city.

Anglia in Bloom is the regional heat of the nationwide Britain in Bloom competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Other winners around the county included Great Yarmouth and Gorleston (best large coastal resort), Winterton (best large village), and Filby (East of England Tourist Board best village trophy).

The awards were presented at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich on Tuesday.

Speaking after the announcement of the winner, judge Terry Whitmill was full of praise for the city's entry.

The doldrums

"It is not what the local authority does or necessarily about the number of hanging baskets there are, but how the community comes together to tackle things like environmental cleanliness, sustainability, recycling, composting - and a lot of that is done by the general public.

"As far as Norwich is concerned they have some very strong links with the community.

"It is a community-based campaign but they have very strong links with industry and commerce as well.

"Norwich went through the doldrums at one time, but it has come back. It is really very pleasing to see."

Now the city goes on to compete in Britain in Bloom.