Darlington has failed to win floral success after missing out on this year's Britain in Bloom awards.

Despite impressive floral displays throughout the town, which was shortlisted for the competition last year, it has not made the final list.

A spokeswoman for Britain in Bloom said: "Darlington has an excellent reputation, but it was not as good as the others, in the judges' opinion.

"The town is also redeveloping its park and somebody with an excellent park is going to win over that, so that has not helped. I think that it is only for one year so maybe they will make next year."

Darlington last won the national prize in 1997, but it has won Best City for six years running in the Northumbria in Bloom competition.

It was also shortlisted for Best Small City in October, but lost out to Bath.

The Northumbria in Bloom committee decides which towns and villages to put forward for the national competition each year.

A council spokeswoman said: "Because we were shortlisted last year we would not expect to be put forward this year and we have not requested it."