Beer has reached the national finals of the Britain in Bloom competition for the first time in its history.

The village secured its place in the next stage of the competition after winning a gold award in the South West in Bloom ‘champion of champions’ category last week.

Judges also awarded the village the Plantscape Coastal Trophy for being the best seaside entry in the whole of the South West.

Pecorama’s gardens scooped the Bruford Cup for the best horticultural display (non municipal).

President of Beer in Bloom, Ursula Makepeace, said: “To win the best costal entry is really amazing.

“The people of Beer are absolutely delighted. I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped us to achieve this wonderful objective.”

The Beer in Bloom team will be visited by judges from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2016 for the national stage of the competition and Mrs Makepeace is already on the lookout for more volunteers.

She said: “For nationals we will need a lot more volunteers because the standards are much higher and more strict. The judges’ demands are much greater.

“This isn’t just a flash in the pan.”

Mrs Makepeace thanked John and Linda Widger, of Scalwell Lane Nursery in Seaton, for the quality of flowers used in this year’s displays.