A TOWN-wide effort and a unique theme helped Upton to victory in the Heart of England in Bloom awards.

Committee chairman Eric White was thrilled after Friday's ceremony in Staffordshire, where the town won both a gold award and the overall title in the large village category.

"It was absolutely wonderful. We were all on Cloud Nine," he said.

Certificates and the cut glass vase Upton won as the best large village are now on display in the tourist information centre and will eventually go to the town council offices.

Mr White said generous sponsors and help from residents were behind the victory.

"This year was genuinely a town effort," he said.

"So many people contributed in so many ways, I think it brewed a lot of community support."

Residents helped out the committee by sweeping pavements on judging day and watering and deadheading flowers.

Upton naval hero Admiral Sir William Tennant inspired the theme of the town's entry.

The bloom committee decided to use the evacuation of Dunkirk, in which Sir William played a crucial role, as the theme for the judges' tour in July.

Upton Royal British Legion members, including Dunkirk veteran Sgt Harold Jones, attended a special ceremony and Celia Wilson, Sir William's niece, travelled from Oxfordshire for the occasion.

Upton itself was not the only prize winner on Friday, with judges singling out local businesses and residents

In the neighbourhood awards section, Tiltridge Vineyard and Little Blossoms Nursery both won merit awards while Longdon couple Doug and Sue Fletcher received the judges' personal award for their work with Heart of England in Bloom.

Over the years, the Fletchers have helped Upton, Ledbury, Tewkesbury and Tenbury Wells with their entries.

Mr Fletcher said he and his wife were over the moon for Upton and that winning its category was a great achievement.

He thanked all the shopkeepers for providing and looking after hanging baskets.

Upton entered for the first time just three years ago but has won gold every year since. However, this is the first time the town has been overall winner in its category.