The national Britain in Bloom judges came to Ledbury on Tuesday and praised the "three P's" of the community - people, plants and pride.

Judge Ian Wilson said that all three were evident during the tour round town.

He added: "We love to see a town that is alive, like this."

Fellow judge Peter Holman said: "In principle, Ledbury should do quite well, but we'll have to see when we've marked up. You can't expect me to say much more at this stage."

Mr Holman praised the level of community involvement and called it "a credit to the town".

The chairman of Ledbury in Bloom, Tom Deane, said he was very impressed by the relaxed informality of the judges as they went round.

He said: "They displayed a genuine interest in all the groups they met. One doesn't know the level of competition there is but we pulled out all the stops."

This year, as last year's overall winner for the Heart of England, Ledbury won the right to represent the region in the national competition. Regional judges, Bob Harris and Les Goodman were guests of honour for the morning, to show support for Ledbury's efforts.

As on July 12, when the town was judged for the regional competition, community support was in evidence with the presence of a large crowd under the Market House.

The mayor, Coun Keith Francis and mayoress Pam Juckes were there to greet Mr Holman and Mr Wilson, together with around 100 local people, including carnival princess Kimberley Rickell.

Coun Francis said afterwards: "The town is looking wonderful today, thanks to a lot of effort from very many people."

The president of Ledbury in Bloom, Ken Davies, said: "We have perfect weather for it. The prospects are as good as they can be."

The judges had already enjoyed a performance near the War Memorial by the primary-aged Festival Dance Team. The young dancers performed a rural jig again in the Walled Garden, using a floral display on a pole as the focus.

The judges then went into the church to view the special Ledbury in Bloom display, including the photographic exhibition by Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter photographer Jay Watson.

At the buffet lunch afterwards at Ledbury Community Hall, Herefordshire Council was singled out for special praise by the judges, for its efforts on behalf of the local community in maintaining flowerbeds..

Council contractors were watering in town just hours before the judges arrived.

Mr Deane said: "Herefordshire Council's parks department, and their contractor Sodexho, have responded magnificently