GREEN-FINGERED volunteers have scooped a regional accolade for Knutsford’s floral displays.

The town won a Silver Gilt award for the third year in a row at the RHS North West in Bloom awards.

Despite the cold spring and wet summer, community gardeners impressed judges who kept Knutsford blooming when they visited in July.

The award was in recognition of the whole town’s efforts to make the town a beautiful place to live and visit.

Knutsford also won the discretionary award and trophy for Best Commercial Effort in recognition of efforts by the business community in providing floral and green displays.

Yvonne Bancroft, chairman of Knutsford in Bloom, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has helped the town achieve this high acclaim in the horticultural world, in particular Ash Court, the Belle Epoque, the Cross Keys, and all the businesses and residents in the town centre for making that extra effort.

“We would like to thank St Vincent’s Primary for again allowing us to visit with the judges, residents doing their bit in the community, including those taking part in the front garden competition, and the businesses and many groups supporting Knutsford in Bloom.

“Knutsford in Bloom would also like to thank Knutsford Town Council for funding Knutsford in Bloom’s town displays, and Cheshire East’s Streetscene team for their support in delivering friendly and helpful service and advice.

“A big thank you to Stewart Jackson of Primrose Hill Nursery, High Legh, for the wonderful red, white and blue barrier planters on display this summer.

“Finally, well done to the Knutsford in Bloom volunteer team for all their hard work in the town planting and the work needed behind the scenes this year.

“They plant and maintain all the town planters, the beds on Toft Road, at the station, the civic centre planters, the fountain on The Heath and the meadow, and have begun to plant cherry blossom trees around the town.”

Knutsford in Bloom’s awards can be seen at the Heritage Centre in King Street.