MARLBOROUGH is celebrating another year of success in the South West in Bloom competition after scooping a silver-gilt award for the second year running.

Months of hard work by the Marlborough in Bloom committee, residents and the town council - showcasing the town’s plants in all its glory - has paid off and on Thursday Marlborough was announced as one of the winners of the South West Tourism Association Cup, just pipped to the post by Kingsbridge who took gold.

The award ceremony took place at the prestigious Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth where Mayor of Marlborough Margaret Rose and chair of the Marlborough in Bloom committee Anne Crawley, along with Richard Beale the town council’s grounds and estates manager were presented with the award by Jonathan Dimbleby.

In July, Marlborough in Bloom organised for a vintage Rolls Royce to take South West in Bloom judges Jane Pagano and Kim Parish to see the town's citrus themed floral displays and have a champagne lunch at The Polly Tearooms before visiting other places in Marlborough.

Individual groups around the town also did well in the competition's ‘it’s your neighbourhood’ awards with the Old Victorian Cemetery and Manton in Bloom achieving ‘thriving’ awards. Stonebridge Meadow was presented with an ‘outstanding’ certificate, which is the highest achievement.

Marlborough Waterfront Association was also awarded ‘outstanding’ and shortlisted amongst more than 500 entrants to its place in the top ten entrants.

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) won the monk trophy for its native planting and was also shortlisted for its environmental work.

The town was also shortlisted for its overall portfolio. The Lamb Inn in The Parade won third place for best floral pub in the south west for its displays as well.

Chair of the Marlborough in Bloom committee Mrs Crawley said: “Another good year for Marlborough and with other Wiltshire towns doing well too. Our ‘it’s your neighbourhood’ entrants did particularly well and should be congratulated for all their efforts. We are hoping that even more local groups will enter in 2016.”

The Marlborough in Bloom annual general meeting will be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, October 7, from 6pm to 8pm.