Ledbury in Bloom chairman Tom Deane returned home minus a trophy but with many plaudits after the town failed to finish in the top three in the final of the Britain in Bloom contest.

Mr Deane travelled to Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries, Scotland, with wife and Ledbury in Bloom committee member, Mary, to hear the judges' decision on Wednesday.

Seasoned campaigners from Sidmouth in Devon won the overall title with Forres in North Scotland second and Brightlingsea in Essex third.

Mrs Deane said: "We were given no placing at all but it was very encouraging and you can't be winners every time.

"It was a splendid occasion and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We would have like to have been placed but we're not too disappointed and are thoroughly pleased we went."

The judges who visited Ledbury as representatives for the Heart of England Region, saw the Deanes at the awards ceremony. They praised the town's entry and told them not to be too disappointed that they had failed to win.

In their official comments they wrote: "With continual good organisation and further annual improvements Ledbury will become a strong contender for future national success."

Ledbury in Bloom secretary Chris Clarke, of Ledbury Tourist Information Centre, said: "We were told that we had just been pipped to the third place by Brightlingsea and that's not at all bad for a town which is in the national finals for the first time.

"These towns have had a lot of experience and we should be proud to have reached the finals at all. It's not just about the flowers, it's about the community involvement which helps keep the town free of litter, graffiti and so on."