DARTMOUTH has bloomin’ well done it. The town is celebrating after winning Gold in the national finals of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition.

It took the top award in the small coastal towns category of the UK awards, which were described as a vintage year with the standard of entries incredibly high.

The result was announced at a ceremony on Friday attended by Dart­mouth Green Partnerships representatives Stevie Rogers and Kathy Stansfield.

Dartmouth was among 70 finalists from Bloom groups in villages, towns and cities and was the first award of the evening to be announced.

DGP chairman Stevie Rogers said: ‘It is wonderful to be recognised nationally as well as at local level, and helps put Dartmouth on the map.

‘This great achievement is due to the hard work of so many people in Dartmouth who come together to make the parks, gardens and green spaces look so lovely.

‘The RHS national awards are the country’s biggest community gardening campaign, a great challenge which brings together the whole community to make Dartmouth look its best, not only on judging day, but for the summer and during the rest of the year.’

She added: ‘This year we also had the privilege of hosting the South West in Bloom Awards at the Britannia Royal Naval College, which meant that we could share our lovely town with more than 300 “bloom” visitors.

‘These awards are very important to the economy of the town as well as its well-being, attracting visitors to the shops and businesses.

‘The importance of a responsible attitude to the environment, awareness of sustainability in planting and community involvement cannot be stressed too highly. The whole process is about education as well as making places special.

‘We are very grateful to all our volunteers, sponsors, local councils, businesses and those people who join with us to plant and care for displays.

‘Without them this achievement would not have been possible.

‘It is particularly gratifying that the judges have recognised the value of our new approach as Dartmouth Green Partnership, involving the wider community.

‘They have recommended it as a model for most other Bloom groups.’

John Goulden of South West In Bloom, who is also an RHS executive committee member and an In Your Neighbourhood coordinator, said: ‘I had the privilege of attending the Britain in Bloom National Awards in the company of SWIB entrants. It was especially rewarding to see DGP maintain its reputation in achieving gold once again.

‘This year the judges have raised the bar on standards, making this award all the more hard-earned.

‘To be one of the six best in the UK in their category at this national event is an amazing achievement, of which the whole community in Dartmouth should be proud.’

Chairman of the UK judging panel Roger Burnett said: ‘This has been a ­vintage year for Britain in Bloom, with communities across the country coming together to create wonderful floral displays that benefit not just the individuals involved, but their communities and the wider environment.

‘Thanks to the work of Britain in Bloom, our pollinators are better ­supported.

‘Once neglected areas of our towns, villages and cities are turning from grey to green and communities are coming together with a shared purpose.

‘The standard of entries this year has been incredibly high. It’s an honour to recognise and celebrate the work these amazing people do to build stronger, healthier and happier communities through gardening.’

RHS president Sir Nicholas Bacon, pledging continued commitment from the RHS, told entrants that Bloom groups ‘transform areas and bring life to empty and unloved urban areas’.

He continued: ‘Very few are council-led, and the ones that do best are community-led with council support.

‘We know how gardens benefit the health and friendship in communities.’

Almost 400 people attended the ­ceremony, which was hosted by James Alexander-Sinclair and supported by Sunderland City Council at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear.

Neighbouring Kingsbridge also received a gold award in the Small Town category, while Norton in Hales was awarded the ultimate community gardening prize, winning 2015’s Champion of Champions title, meaning the town is arguably the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful location in Britain.

A number of discretionary awards were also given to communities and individuals who demonstrated excellence in a particular area of the campaign. These included, among others, awards for young people’s involvement, environmental sustainability and tourism.