MALVERN, Upton, Bromyard and Ledbury have swept the board at this year’s Heart of England in Bloom awards, claiming four gold awards and three overall category wins between them.

Yesterday’s presentation ceremony in Wolverhampton was particularly memorable for Upton in Bloom, which was named the winner of the large village category and saw chairman Jackie Surtees collect an Outstanding Achievement award.

Mrs Surtees said she was “gobsmacked” when her name was read out.

“It came as a complete surprise but of course I’m very pleased,” she said. “We’re delighted to receive another gold award for the town. Everyone worked very hard and it is an excellent result.”

She added that she was delighted to see a certificate of merit awarded to former Upton in Bloom stalwarts Peter and Diane Bellamy, who stood down earlier this year when they moved away.

Upton’s mayor Andrea Morgan said: “I cannot say just how highly everyone values the work done by Upton in Bloom. Without them the town would not look anywhere near as nice as it does and they are real unsung heroes for Upton.”

She added: “I’m so pleased for Jackie because she works her socks off and the award could not have gone to a more deserving person.”

Malvern in Bloom collected a third successive gold award in the highly competitive large towns category.

Chairman John Jordan said: “We are absolutely delighted to win gold after all the hard work by so many people in the town. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has been involved, from the various youth groups through to the elderly residents in some of our sheltered housing, all of who have played their part.”

There were also success stories across the border in Herefordshire, with Ledbury claiming a gold award and winning the town category, and Bromyard receiving gold and the title of small town winner.

Certificates of merit were awarded to Claire Moore, of Ledbury in Bloom, Gill Churchill, of Bromyard in Bloom and the HOPE Family Centre in Bromyard.