A West Cumbrian town has won a prize in the finals of a national horticultural competition.

Whitehaven was handed a silver gilt award at the RHS’ Britain in Bloom UK Finals ceremony on October 23.

The town competed in the coastal town category and was nominated for its ‘outstanding wildflower displays, community engagement, and nature conservation’, according to Cumberland Council.

It was selected to represent Cumbria after the success of the 2022 Cumbria in Bloom award, for which it received a gold award for work in partnership with Whitehaven Town Council.

The area was awarded full marks for plants ‘being vibrant and growing to their full potential’, and high scores for gardening and horticultural activity, consideration of the environment, and community participation after judges visited on August 3, 2023.

The silver gilt trophy and certificates will soon be on display in The Beacon Museum.

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “Our green spaces teams do a great job, day in day out - working in all weathers - to make sure our green and open spaces look so pristine.

“This hard work has been rewarded with a top prize at the national Britain in Bloom competition.”

The highest award that Britain in Bloom gives out is gold; Whitehaven was therefore beaten by Exmouth, Llandudno, the Parish of St Brelade, and joint winners East Haven and Lytham, all of which won gold.

Cllr Quilter continued: “Whitehaven and its amazing parks and green spaces have been showcased to their judges and I would like to pass on my personal best wishes and thanks to the team that support this area.

“In addition to supporting the biodiversity of the area, they also ensure that Cumberland is an inviting place to live and visit.

“I would also like to thank Whitehaven Town Council as a funding partner, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and local volunteer groups.

“This is the first time in 12 years since Whitehaven has been entered into the national finals and I would like to pass on my thanks to all those involved in making our area bloom.”