The Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom campaign won a number of awards in this year’s South and South East in Bloom competition.

At a ceremony held on Wednesday, September 17 at Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, Royal Tunbridge Wells received a gold medal for the third year running in the Best Large Town category.

The town also won the Kent Life County Award for the best town in Kent.

As well as the town, the parks and woodland were also recognised. Dunorlan Park received the top grade and a gold medal in the Best Large Park category.

This is the third year running the park has been awarded a gold medal.

In first time entries, Woodbury Park Cemetery received a silver in the Small Cemetery category while Barnett’s Wood Nature Reserve was also awarded a silver, this time in the Conservation category.

Additionally, Woodbury Park Cemetery, Calverley Grounds and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park all won a Level 3 - Developing in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ competition.

Calverley Grounds moved up two levels from last year, and Woodbury Park Cemetery and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park entered for the first time.

Councillor David Elliott, chairman of the Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom committee said: "It is wonderful to see our town winning so many awards in this prestigious competition, and especially pleasing to see Woodbury Park Cemetery and Barnett’s Wood receive silver awards on their first foray into the competition. We should rightly be very proud of our achievements."

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom aims to deliver environmental improvements throughout the town, involve the community and encourage civic pride.

Practical activities undertaken by the local in Bloom group include planting the troughs in the Calverley precinct to increase floral displays in the town centre and organising a whole host of community projects across the town including hedge laying, spring cleans and conservation activities.

Councillor Jane March, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, leisure and economic development said: "These awards enhance the importance of the borough as an important tourist destination.

"Thanks and congratulations must go to all the volunteers, staff and residents for their hard work over the last few months. Thanks are also due to Coolings, the Gardener’s Garden Centre in Sevenoaks, for their valuable support.

"Do visit the town centre, and our parks and woodland to see what it takes to be a medal winner and to gain inspiration for next year’s competition!"

Gary Stevenson, head of environment and Street Scene at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said: "This is a fantastic result for everyone concerned.

"I would like to thank our Parks team and the Kent High Weald Partnership for all the hard work they have put in to the competition this year and of course not forgetting the support we have had from our contractors Sodexo and Cory."