UPTON has walked away yet again with a prestigious award for the work done by volunteer gardeners in the town.

Upton in Bloom is a voluntary organisation, making the area more colourful with flowers installed throughout the town for both residents and visitors to enjoy and it is chaired by community stalwart Jackie Surtees.

These range from hanging baskets to beds full of plants.

The organisation raises its own finance and the volunteers give up their own time, spending many hours planting, weeding and tidying.

Upton took Gold in the Large Village category in the Heart of England in Bloom competition and now they are eligible to take part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom contest, which is a national award.

Mayor Henrietta Ross, said: “I’m delighted that Upon has received this award and it shows recognition of all the hard work the volunteers are doing in the town.

"Welcome to the team."

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Mark Wiltshire, coordinator for Heart of England in Bloom, said: “ Upton in Bloom has done a tremendous job with the limited resources they’ve got.

“They’re all volunteers and they work so hard to bring their green-fingered approach to the town looking good for everyone.

“Congratulations to Upton in Bloom.

This year’s finalists put forward from the Heart of England are Biddulph, Newport, Norton in Hales, Rugby and Winshill.

Since 2003, the organisation has worked to make the town more attractive and they have won this award on numerous occasions previously.