Oswestry has been awarded a Silver Gilt in this year's Britain in Bloom awards.

The Heart of England’s community gardeners clinched prizes and took home a haul of medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) annual Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Belfast last weekend.

The Heart of England finalists collected their awards from Chris Bavin, presenter of BBC Two’s Britain in Bloom TV series and guest speaker at the awards ceremony.

Oswestry was awarded the Silver Guilt in the Large Town category in the competition.

And although chairman of the Oswestry in Bloom committee Betty Gull enjoyed the experience, she admits she would have liked a gold.

"We were told we were extremely close to getting a gold, so it's a little frustrating," she said.

"But we'll try and reach the standard again next year – Oswestry won't be happy until it gets a gold!"

Judges from Britain in Bloom visited the market town earlier this year to cast their eyes over what Oswestry had on offer including Cae Glas Park, Oswestry Cemetery and local school projects among a list of other things.

As a first-time entrant into the UK Finals, the judges were delighted with the warm welcome they received and much enjoyed meeting the Mayor Councillor Sandy Best, Town Crier Phil Brown, and Margaret Thrower.

Miss Gull continued: "I've already started planning for next year's In Bloom - it's never too soon to start.

"We'll keep working to make sure we get gold next year."

Darren Share, chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: “This year’s finalists faced the most challenging conditions the competition has ever seen with much of the country under snow and ice at the start of spring followed by the joint-hottest summer on record.

“That so many groups have walked away with top medals is remarkable and a reflection of communities’ hard work, ingenuity and horticultural know-how.”