EVERYTHING'S coming up roses for Malvern businesses scooping awards in the annual Malvern in Bloom competition.

First place this year went to The Great Malvern Hotel, in Graham Road, with its baskets of geraniums and trailing petunias.

Karen Sutton, manager of the hotel, said she was "very, very pleased".

"Last year, we were highly commended, so it's nice to have won this time. Many of our guests have commented on the floral displays. They took a lot of work, but it really paid off."

The Express Inn, which topped their section last year, was runner-up this time round.

Manager Gerry Deegan said he was surprised to see the public house, in Quest Hills Road, Malvern Link, drop one place. But he said he was determined it would not happen next year.

The Unicorn Inn, on Belle Vue Terrace, came third. Manager Chris Lush put up hanging baskets and window boxes full of blooms, but found the heat wave made growing a challenge.

"We've had loads of flowers this year," he said.

"But they've needed watering every day. They were just gasping for water in the heat!"

Mycycles, in Malvern Link, took a highly commended award.

The awards were presented by Roger Hall-Jones, Malvern Town Council chairman.