Winning gold at the South West in Bloom awards is down to the efforts of the whole community.

That sentiment was shared by Sidmouth in Bloom chairman Lynette Talbot and Beer in Bloom president Ursula Makepeace as they reflected on another successful year.

Sidmouth added another gold to its collection and claimed the Sargent Cup, plus seven In Your Neighbourhood awards. Beer secured gold in the Champion of Champions class, plus nine In Your Neighbourhood gongs.

Lynette said: “We’re very pleased to be able to bring the Sargent Cup back home with us again. We had very positive feedback from the judges and very little criticism. We now hope to get gold at the national finals.

“I want to thank all of my committee and everyone who won an In Your Neighbourhood award – community engagement is extremely important.

“I also want to thank Streetscene, we wouldn’t have won without their support, and the townsfolk themselves.

“It’s a whole town effort and this award is good for Sidmouth – it will bring in a lot of tourists and support the businesses.”

Sidmouth also triumphed in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, which recognised seven community projects.The Friends of the Byes, The Chairman’s Garden, Witheby Entrance Garden, Sidbashers and Sidcombers received the highest rating of ‘outstanding’.The Ham garden restoring project and Margaret’s Meadow and Livonia Road Shubbery all achieved a ‘thriving’ rating.

Ursula said: “Everybody’s hard work and interest and moral support has been recognised.

“I would like to thank everybody, the individuals, groups and the village as a whole who have always supported us. It is not only the small details, but also attending our fundraising events.”

Beer scooped nine ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ prizes, projects including Beer Village, the Jubilee gardening team, Beer Primary School, Charlie’s Yard, Puffins Pre-School and the grounds outside St Michael’s Church and war memorial rated ‘thriving’.

The prizes were presented by Lord Julian and Lady Emma Fellowes at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay last Thursday.

The winners of the Britain in Bloom awards will be revealed in a ceremony in Llandudno on Friday, October 27.