GARDEN lovers in both Marlborough and Devizes are celebrating after the towns’ In Bloom winners were announced.

In Marlborough the cheers rang out loudly when the town was awarded a coveted gold in the South West In Bloom ceremony in Newquay.

Mayor Mervyn Hall received the coveted trophy from Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes and his wife Emma who are In Bloom patrons.

A number of Marlborough community groups and pubs also won accolades.

President of Marlborough in Bloom, Steve Pascall, said: “This is tremendous for Marlborough in Bloom.

“Our Committee members, neighbourhood groups and community volunteers all work so hard towards this competition. Let’s not forget the huge effort and dedication of the town council grounds team too.”

Devizes In Bloom did not enter the regional competition for a second year running but held its own competition to honour those who went the extra mile to make gardens look beautiful.

Many businesses, pubs, charities and care homes joined individual home owners to compete in a wide number of categories.

Devizes In Bloom chairman Zena Robson said: “It was lovely to see new people getting involved in the competition and doing so well and the community gardens and allotments were an excellent example of what can be achieved when people work together.”