DESPITE a torrid time for gardeners, this year’s Northumbria in Bloom Awards proved as competitive as ever.

Stockton again won the city category – an accolade it has received every year since 2004, while nearby Billingham took top prize in the large town category and Thornaby won the small city award.

The small town title went to Sedgefield , in County Durham, while Saltburn , in east Cleveland, was named best coastal resort. Stanghow won the small village title and near-neighbour Moorsholm was presented with the village prize.

The winners were announced in Spennymoor , County Durham, yesterday, where the guest of honour was Lady Elsie Robson, widow of Sir Bobby Robson .

Councillor David Rose, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “The success Stockton borough has achieved at the Northumbria in Bloom awards is testament to the year-round hard work and dedication shown by the council’s care for your area (CFYA) team.

“Huge thanks must also al- By Graeme Hetherington graeme.hetherington@nne.co.uk ways go to the enthusiasm and commitment shown by residents, community groups and businesses throughout the whole borough.

“In this Olympic year, it is wonderful to see Stockton, Billingham and Thornaby all receive gold medals. It has been a real team effort, with CFYA working alongside residents across the borough to improve the environment.”

Residents of Sedgefield celebrated after the town won 193 points from a possible 200.

Norma Neal, a volunteer who helps look after the town’s flowers, said: “We are delighted to have won the award and it is quite an achievement.

“There were six other small towns which had won gold medals in the small town section, with the town with the most points winning the overall title.

“We were quite confident, but we have had so much to contend with this year, not least the very wet weather.”

Northumbria in Bloom chairwoman Eileen Burns said: “In spite of the atrocious weather this year, local councils and communities have worked tirelessly to make everywhere look as good as possible. We salute the heroes who have dedicated themselves to the hard work that has been needed.”

The awards ceremony for Britain in Bloom will be held in Guernsey on October 6. The region has six entries – Sedgefield, Stockton, Stanghow, Sunderland, Warkworth and Morpeth.