COMMUNITIES in Herefordshire are reaping success in the Heart of England in Bloom awards.

Things came up rosy for several market towns and villages, with Bromyard, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye claiming gold awards.

The big winner was Tarrington, which was named best small village in the region for the second year running.

The village was also named best in Herefordshire and claimed gold in the “know your roots” theme. The community will now go on to next year’s final and organiser Veronica Hodges said: “A lot of people got involved on the day so we’d like to thank them.”

Ross-on-Wye struck gold a year after claiming silver-gilt status. Ledbury and Bromyard also took gold in their respective town and small town categories, while Leominster received a silver-gilt.

Judges were particularly impressed with the community work in Ledbury, which claimed gold for the second year running.

Ledbury in Bloom chairman John Grove called the result “a tribute to the people of Ledbury and volunteers”.

Ferncroft residential home in Hereford also collected a special award for its communal garden, created by residents and volunteers.

President of Heart of England In Bloom, Sir William Lawrence OBE, praised entrants during last Thursday’s ceremony in Burton-on-Trent.