WORCESTERSHIRE fought off competition from across the Heart of England to win a range of awards in the Heart of England in Bloom 2005 contest.

Evesham won a silver gilt in the large town category and Pershore, entering the contest for the first time, gained a bronze award in the town category.

Hampton scout hut, where the display was wrecked by vandals shortly after judging took place, achieved a merit award in the Neighbourhood awards.

There was a gold award for Tewkesbury in the town category and a silver neighbourhood award for Shipston.

Heart of England discretionary awards were presented to Shirley Balhatchet and Jackie Warner of Shipston in Bloom, while the Subaru Award for exceptional community achievement went to Penelope White, also of Shipston in Bloom.

Sir William Lawrence OBE, chairman of Heart of England Tourism, said: "I would like to congratulate all those who made this year's Heart of England in Bloom a very memorable one.

"Although there can only be a few winners, the effort and commitment of all the entrants is recognised and greatly appreciated.

"Every year we run the the Heart of England in Bloom involving local authorities and their communities, like the flowers it also grows each year and now is an important part of the tourism calendar to which everybody looks forward."

Senior judge Bob Harris said that "the 2005 season has been a great experience with more entrants than ever before.

"The true value of the Heart of England in Bloom is the community spirit which it helps grow and the feeling of civic pride across the region which it creates."