VOLUNTEERS in Leominster and Hereford took home the top prize for their floral efforts at the Heart of England in Bloom competition.

Leominster in Bloom was awarded a gold prize yet again in celebration of the efforts of volunteers, while Hereford in Bloom regained the coveted gold award after taking home silver last year.

Judges at the ceremony in Burton on Trent were impressed by Leominster's poppy displays in recognition of the centenary of the armistice of the First World War.

This year the group have brought poppies to areas of the town in memory of those who gave their lives in the Great War.

Shop windows have displayed the faces of fallen soldiers, while the Buttercross Arcade has been filled with poppies.

Handmade banners are also still on display around the town to remember each of the different services.

Mike Thornhill MBE, chairman of Leominster in Bloom, said: "'The contribution from children, craft groups, schools, nursing homes and the Town Council has been like never before.

"Our volunteers have worked so hard with all the different partners, it has truly been a year like no other."

Gill Ding, manager of Leominster Tourist Information Centre, said: "It is a huge reward for a lot of hard work.

"We all pulled together to make something wonderful."

Hereford regained the gold award thanks to the efforts of the Bloom volunteers and the support of the City Council and the BID team who organise the hanging basket scheme for shops and offices.

The judging route was litter free as a result of the work of the Hereford Community Clean Up Group led by Emma Jones and Andrew Wood.

Kevin Knipe, chairman of the Hereford in Bloom volunteers, said: "“The heatwave summer ensured the plants grew bigger and better than ever, but it also sent the cost of watering and maintaining the beds, planters and hanging baskets soaring. We rely on the generous sponsorship of local businesses to pay for the thousands of plants and the support of the City Council to ensure Hereford continues to welcome visitors with a blaze of colourful flowers.

"More community action groups in the city are taking up the challenge of responsibility for the local environment. There is a new sense of Civic Pride and the Gold award will encourage even more people to be part of it.”