UPTON is celebrating a triple success after picking up three awards in the Heart of England in Bloom competition.

This year's entry scooped a gold award in the large village category, matching last year's result, along with the Severn Trent Award for Water Conservation and a neighbourhood award for Berrow Court.

Doug Fletcher, adviser to Upton's organising committee, said he was "absolutely over the moon" at the result.

"It's enough to give you a heart attack. It's unbelievable," he said.

In their report, the judges praised the cleanliness of the town and said they had been particularly impressed by the increased number of flower baskets, the Rotary Club's anniversary flowerbed at the Pepperpot and the new watering system, for which the town was given the Severn Trent award.

Mr Fletcher said the system, which automatically waters hanging baskets outside shops and businesses, was thought to be the only one in use in the country.

Judges were also impressed by the blooms on display at Berrow Court and by the welcome they were given by residents.

They said: "The whole complex had the feeling of being loved and well cared for."

David Fraser, who manages Berrow Court with his wife Margaret, said: "It's a pat on our backs and it's a pat on the back of the residents.

"A lot of them come from large houses with large gardens and they find they're coming to an age where they can't manage the whole thing. But the ethos of the company is don't cut people off completely, so we give them a patio and front garden and they can carry on in a small way."

The awards were announced at a ceremony in the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa last Friday.