THERE were celebrations in Durham last night as the city was declared blooming marvellous.

After years of trying, Durham finally struck gold in the country's leading environmental competition, the Britain in Bloom Awards.

The city has claimed silver in the large town/small city category three years in succession, but now has the coveted gold prize.

Bid co-ordinator Andrew Jackson, of Durham City Council, was at the award ceremony in Cardiff, where he also received a personal commendation and a gold achievement award for the city's efforts.

Councillor Grenville Holland said: "We are absolutely delighted to win gold in this prestigious competition. Our success is really down to the hard work of the council, in partnership with the local community.

"We received fantastic support from residents, businesses and organisations across the city. The competition is not only about baskets of brightly coloured flowers, but is also about making a long-term investment to the environment."

The judges, from the Royal Horticultural Society, were impressed with Durham's commitment to biodiversity, and their vice-chairman, Roger Burnett, who inspected the city in August, singled out Mr Jackson's dedication.

He said: "Andrew has been championing the Bloom cause for many years and is instrumental to the Durham in Bloom team."

Durham, which has hosted the awards ceremony in the past, has made the finals nine times without taking the top prize.

Elsewhere in the region, Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, won silver in the small country town section.

Judge Mark Wasilewski said: "Thirsk has actively involved young people in projects such as the planted barrels at the taxi rank in the Market Place, and horticultural enhancements within the churchyard.

"This involvement helps people to take ownership of local areas and cultivates a sense of civic pride."

Tony Jordan, of Thirsk in Bloom, said the award was "for the town of Thirsk, not just the Thirsk in Bloom volunteers".

He said: "There will be a lot of opportunities for business development and tourism from this."

Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, won silver in the urban community category, with judge Susan Smith saying: "We were very impressed with the efforts made to address environmental and sustainable development issues.

"The introduction of the kerbside collection of green waste and the fabulous wildflower demonstration plot help in the education of local people to help care for their immediate surroundings."

The awards were presented by garden designer and broadcaster Joe Swift.

Saltburn, in east Cleveland, won a silver award in the coastal resort category. Judge Jeff Bates said: "It is to the greatest credit of the whole community that the Victorian ethos and spirit runs throughout the entry of Saltburn."

Hexham, in Northumberland, won silver gilt in the small city/large town category and a discretionary award for outstanding efforts to attract tourists.