Ilfracombe takes gold in annual South West in Bloom awards

Despite a disappointing summer weather wise, members of Ilfracombe in Bloom have done an exceptional job with the colourful floral displays around the town, a job which has recently been rewarded at a regional competition.

The vibrant arrangements have caught the eye of visitors on their self catering holidays, but more importantly the eyes of judges at South West in Bloom. The town was described as a "well-oiled machine", before being handed a prestigious gold award in the Small Town Sargent Cup category.

South West in Bloom judges said: "Ilfracombe is a hardy perennial when it comes to Bloom.”

"The town exudes a bloom presence from arriving at Mullacott Roundabout before driving into the town centre itself.”

"The quality of the hanging baskets throughout the town is exemplary, the planted boats, the bandstand, permanent roadside planting and residents' gardens all tell you just how good this entry is.”

"This is Bloom at its best, infiltrating into car parks, the seafront parks and the natural areas."

Credit was also given to the care of public furniture, lack of town graffiti and litter, and cleanliness of the beaches.

Many of you will have visited the nearby villages of Berrynarbor and Clovelly during your UK self catering holidays – these also picked up gold awards in what was a good showing for North Devon.