A RECORD six gold medals were awarded in this year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Durham and Stockton were among the communities to win the award.

Durham again won the best small city category, while Stockton clinched the best city award for the fourth year running and the Biodiversity Award for its recycling efforts. Saltburn was awarded a silver gilt medal for winning best coastal resort.

Earsdon, in Northumberland, was the overall winner.

It also won the best village category.

The judges said it was an outstanding example of what volunteers could achieve for their community.

Eileen Burn, the chairwoman of Northumbria in Bloom, said: "The rewards for participating in the competition reach far beyond the awards themselves.

"Out of all that hard work, communities benefit from improving the local environment, strengthening community spirit, developing local pride, encouraging tourism and business, and have a lot of fun in the process."

Jeff Riddell, Durham City Council's head of leisure and environmental services, said: "It is evidence of the commitment we get from our workforce, and it is a continuation of our commitment to provide high-quality services."

Councillor Jennie Beaumont, Stockton Borough Council cabinet member for the environment, said: "The high-quality displays reflect all the hard work which goes into making the town literally bloom, and my congratulations to all who are involved.

"We are also grateful for the commitment from the business community. Working together has proved to be a great success for the town."

Judge Walter Dinning said of Stockton's entry: "Ropner Park was a real riot of colour with outstanding presentation. The town centre was amazing, with outstanding floral impact, the standard of grass cutting was the best seen anywhere, and the absence of litter had to be seen to be believed."

Other winners included Callerton, Newcastle; Whickham, Gateshead; Sunderland; Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead; Saltburn, east Cleveland; Newbottle Primary School, Houghton-le-Spring, east Durham; The Hermitage Garden voluntary project, Whickham; Whitby Rise care home, Houghton-le-Spring; the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Durham; St Benedict's Hospice Garden, Sunderland; and Mainsforth Sports Complex, Ferryhill, County Durham.