ULVERSTON’S green credentials were under scrutiny as judges from Cumbria in Bloom surveyed the town's flower beds, orchards and gardens.

Ulverston has entered the ‘Pride in Your Community Awards’ which score points on community engagement, diversity, heritage, recycling and encouraging wildlife.

Ulverston in Bloom chair Kim Farr and town council clerk Jayne Kendall took judges John Thomson and Mary Wilson on a tour of the town starting in Ford Park, and moving on via Ulverston parish church to see the tubs and displays around the town centre, the planting and wildlife area by Ulverston canal and the garden created by the new entrance to GlaxoSmithKline.

Kim Farr said: "The judges were very keen to talk to people everywhere we went – so much so that the tour was scheduled for a little over two hours, but they actually stayed in Ulverston more than four hours.

"We were able to explain about the work undertaken by volunteers, local businesses and groups such as the guides, scouts and brownies who worked with Ulverston in Bloom to create the gardens behind the Factory Shop where food and flowers are grown.

"We also acknowledged the support of the Town Council, and Ulverston Business Improvement District which paid for new planters in the town centre. The funding has also enabled us to expand the scheme with planters at North Lonsdale Road and Croftlands which have been hugely appreciated by local residents."

Kim explained that getting the support of local businesses was also important and the judges were particularly impressed by the work undertaken by GlaxoSmithKline and The Sun Inn on Market Street.

Individual gardens also came in for praise from the judges, particularly a walled garden created behind one of the houses on Ford Park Crescent and the display of flowers created by Cliff Bramley at his house overlooking Brewery Street car park.

The results of the judging will be announced at an awards event in Silloth on September 21.