GREEN fingered volunteers and businesses were celebrating after taking home awards in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom awards.

The Blackburn BID team won the gold gilt in the Business Improvement District category, while Barnoldswick took the silver gilt in the town category.

RHS judges visited the 78 finalists over the summer to assess each group.

The groups were judged against three key criteria, community participation, environmental responsibility and horticultural achievement.

Cllr David Whipp, one of the volunteers who took part in the Barnoldswick bloom preparations, said: “We had more than 100 volunteers throughout the year who did their part to make Barnoldswick look wonderful.

“We took the silver guilt which is a great achievement and after talking with the judges we were a smidgen away from getting the gold one.

“I’m so proud of everyone as they deserve this award and more.

“Taking pride in where you live is something everyone should do and the people of Barnoldswick adhere to this.

“I would also like to congratulate the other East Lancashire winner, Blackburn BID, who sat on the same table with us at the awards evening in Llandudno.

Together the finalists planted over a million trees, bulbs and other plants, transforming villages, towns and cities into green havens.

In Blackburn the businesses who are members of the Blackburn BID fund the additional floral displays and their maintenance.

Harriet Roberts, manager of the Blackburn BID, said “Working in partnership with the council’s dedicated gardeners and all the volunteers has shown what can be achieved and we are incredibly proud.

“To have won a national award is incredible news.

“It goes to show what can be achieved when we work together.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said he could see the peoples hard work throughout the town.

He said: “The volunteers deserve a lot of credit and I thank them.”

Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Working together with the businesses in the town centre has been key to this success and, with the support of the BID, it is testament to this partnership work that our town has been recognised nationally.

“By working together, pooling resources and attracting volunteers, our money now goes further. We are thrilled that the town has been recognised at such a high level with this Gold Award.”

Roger Burnett, chairman of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said it was a ‘huge honour’ to witness how Britain in Bloom brings people together and the lengths that groups go to to make their communities clean, green and beautiful.