Blackburn's blooms hit the gold standard again

It is the third year ist town centre has won gold medals in the regional competition for its floral displays, planters and hanging baskets.

Judges from The Royal Horticultural Society judges visited locations including the Cathedral Gardens, Church Street, Northgate, Exchange Garden Urban Park and Fleming Square’s Italianate Garden in July.

The town centre's flowers and plants are the responsibility of Blackburn in Bloom partnership between Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn Business Improvement District (BID) the town's horticultural society.

At an awards ceremony in Southport, Blackburn in Bloom were crowned winners for the ‘town centre’ and ‘BID’ categories and went on to win ‘Best BID’.

The team were presented with certificates and trophies by representatives from the Royal Horticultural Society and will now go through to the Britain in Bloom National Awards in 2020.

Blackburn In Bloom has won the top prize in its category for the last three years.

Catherine Price, Blackburn BID Manager, said: “We are thrilled to have won two gold awards and recognition as the best BID at this year’s Britain in Bloom North West Awards. It is a credit to the Council’s dedicated gardeners who have shown so much care and attention to the displays.

"We have been overwhelmed with all the messages from visitors commenting on the displays.

“Ultimately, we want to attract more people into the town centre and we are doing that by making sure it looks beautiful.

"We are incredibly proud of what Blackburn In Bloom has achieved. It goes to show what can be achieved when we work together and it is a fantastic honour to be through to the nationals.”

Cllr Phil Riley, borough council regeneration boss, said: “The key to this success has been the hard work and dedication of our fantastic gardeners, teamed with really successful partnership working in the town.

"I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved – this really is superb news for our town.”