A TOWN centre partnership team has picked up Town Centre of the Year award and a Britain in Bloom Gold award at the North West regional awards ceremony last week.

Blackburn has struck gold again after collecting yet another trophy for the town’s horticultural displays.

To win the coveted award Blackburn beat off competition from Rochdale, Oldham, Altrincham and Heywood.

The event took at place at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and saw towns and villages across the North West battle it out for the top spots.

The regional awards followed the town’s success in the national competition held in Llandudno when Blackburn was awarded a gold in the new “BID” category for areas represented by Business Improvement Districts.

The annual Britain in Bloom Awards are organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. Seventy-eight finalists from across the UK compete on three key criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility, and horticultural achievement.

Cllr Jim Smith. executive member for environment, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this result. It is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in making our town centre look as fantastic as it does."