Saltburn received a standing ovation when the results of the Northumbria in Bloom competition were announced on Monday.

The town was devastated after a mystery poisoner slipped a cocktail of chemicals into water used on hundreds of hanging baskets and displays.

But Jackie Taylor, organiser of Saltburn in Bloom, who has spent many months raising money for the event, received first prize in the coastal resort class on behalf of the town. She said: "I am absolutely thril*ed. We're all delighted. It was lovely for the town and very emotional and such an honour.

"Everyone was standing up as we collected our prizes and walked back to our places.

"I can't say how grateful I am to all the people involved.

"I can't really comment on how Saltburn has done in Britain in Bloom - one judge did say that we were off the scale for community involvement. But we have won anyway because we have improved the place where we live and worked together as a community and supporting each other."

June Beveridge, Secretary of Northumbria in Bloom, said: "The judging for Northumbria in Bloom took place before the poisoning of the flowers and we'd already decided Saltburn were the winners because they got the most points in their category. We just wish after all the trouble that they do well in the nationals which will be on Tuesday, September 30.