TOWNS, villages and businesses in South Cumbria and Eden scooped top titles in the annual Cumbria in Bloom competition.

The hard work of gardeners in Cartmel, Kendal, Dalton and Bolton, near Appleby, paid off with dignitaries and guests from the communities leaving the 2015 awards ceremony at the Chequers Hotel, Dalton, laden with trophies.

Adrian Faulkner, treasurer and publicity for Cumbria in Bloom, said: "These awards are wonderful because it rewards people who care about the community and where they live.

"The standards are higher than last year which is reflected in the number of gold awards."

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Adam Naylor, mayors and mayoress of the various district councils, patron Olive Clarke OBE and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) national judge Rae Beckwith were among the 100 guests at the ceremony.

Striking gold was Cartmel which was named winner of the South Lakeland Best in Borough Trophy, best village and joint winner with Kirkoswald of the large tidy village and best sustainable village development, which it shared with Howtown. The village also received a gold Pride in Your Community medal.

Businesses Unsworths Yard and Royal Oak won gold in the Cumbria Tourism section and two It's Your Neighbourhood projects- Townend Meadow and the Cartmel Village Hall border - were classified as outstanding by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Cartmel in Bloom chair David Crabtree said: "I am very proud that we have again achieved a gold award and are again the best village in Cumbria.

"To become the tidiest village in Cumbria for the fourth successive year is testimony to the continuing hard work of all our volunteers.

"While awards are very special to us the real excitement is in seeing the enhancement to our village for the benefit of all."

Bolton's floral creations saw the Eden community crowned winner of best village overall, best small village, small tidy village, most improved over the year and it was also presented with a gold Pride in Your Community medal.

Other worthy winners included Kendal, which received best large town and best sustainable development awards, alongside best town winner Dalton . Dalton with Newton was also awarded achievement in the borough award.

And triumphing in the school gardening awards was Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale, as winner of decorative features and enriching and widening the curriculum. Kendal's Heron Hill Primary School secured the wildlife habitats accolade.