Awards celebrate nation in bloom

A hundred hanging baskets helped Kenwood Kennels near Swansea to win

Newport has been named as the winning city in the Wales in Bloom awards 2008 for the third year running.

Colwyn Bay took first place in both the large town category and for its town hall in the public buildings section.

Entrants to the 17 different categories were judged by their impact, standard of cultivation, cleanliness and conservation.

An awards ceremony will be held for all the winners at Venue Cymru in Llandudno in September.

Stephen Davison, the head of environment services at Newport City Council said: "The award of our first gold medal demonstrates the pride and professionalism that we strive to reach in local authority horticulture."

"The standard of our floral displays does not only help to attract visitors and economic benefits to Newport, they provide a source of joy for our residents."

Treetops Caravan Park won its category for the 16th year running Enlarge Image

Llandudno won first prize for towns, with Holywell in Flintshire taking the Small Town award.

Usk in Monmouthshire was named the best large village, with Cemaes Bay on Anglesey and Wolfscastle in Pembrokeshire the winners in the village and small village sections.

As well as cities, towns and villages there are also awards for the best commercial sites, public buildings and care homes.

Treetops Caravan Park near Prestatyn celebrated winning the large caravan and campsite award for the 16th year in a row.

Andrew Walker, the general manager of the family-run park said: "The commitment required from our gardening team was immense, but their efforts have truly paid off."

The Welsh Highland Railway in Gwynedd won the award for best railway station and Kenwood Boarding Kennels near Swansea took first prize in the large commercial category.

Mick Hull, the owner, said: "We start from about March, we do close on 100 hanging baskets and we do just about everything here."