Sidmouth in Bloom volunteers have proven they still have the Midas touch - claiming their third gold award in a row in the South West in Bloom competition.

Volunteers were honoured at a special presentation at Dartmouth Royal Naval College yesterday (Thursday) where they found out the result.

The team worked hard to overcome a spate of vandalism and illness to whip the town into shape before judges visited in July.

Speaking to the Herald before the results, South West in Bloom chairman Jon Wheatley said: “Sidmouth has done exceptionally well in its group and received a gold medal.

“The judges said the flowers in Sidmouth were wonderful.”

South West in Bloom judges Tim Eley and Bob Sweet showered the town with praise when they visited earlier this year.

At the time, Mr Sweet said: “I think it is very clear to us there is a very strong team working together here. The results are here for everyone to see. There is a lot of creativity and innovation.”

Volunteer groups around Sidmouth were highly regarded in the Royal Horticultural Show’s It’s Your Neighbourhood Scheme.

The scheme is for volunteer-led community gardening groups which focus on cleaning up and greening up their local area.

The town’s Valley of a Million Bulbs, Byes Pre-school Project, Friends of the Byes and Sidcombers achieved outstanding, level five - the highest accolade available. Judges award outstanding for projects deemed remarkable.

Fortfield Terraces, the chairman’s garden and Witheby entrance garden received ‘thriving’, level four, and Peaslands Knapp was awarded ‘developing’, level three.