THERE was a bloomin' lot of success for towns and villages in South Lakeland and Eden at this year's Cumbria in Bloom awards.

This year more than 100 entries were received in the various categories including the town, villages, tourism business, schools and gardening competitions.

Ulverston scooped a significant number of awards this year, including a Gold award and the Best Town trophy.

Ulverston in Bloom received support and funding from Ulverston Business Improvement District and Ulverston Town Council in its bid for success.

Chair of Ulverston in Bloom Kim Farr said: “We were delighted with the overwhelming recognition for Ulverston in the Cumbria in Bloom awards, and we hope to build on this in future to achieve success in the national competition.”

Entries were judged by a panel of volunteer judges on three broad criteria – local community involvement, environmental benefits and gardening achievement. Awards are made to recognise overall performance.

There was success in Kendal, with chair of Kendal in Bloom, councillor Philip Walker, saying that the team were 'very pleased' with the town's results, which included Silver Gilt in the Pride in Your Community medal awards.

"We are very pleased with the result and wish to thank all our partners that helped us achieve this result," he said. "We are now exited to be going to Llandudno for this year's Britain in Bloom awards."

Heron Hill Primary School swept up in this year's awards, with head teacher Peter Hicks telling the Gazette that he thought it was 'hugely' important that children were involved with the outdoors.

"It's hugely important because it's giving children responsibility, that they need to care for things.

"But also just looking after the environment and it's a great opportunity for children to be out getting dirty and muddy."

An added incentive for participants is that there is the possibility of being nominated to next year's Britain in Bloom finals competition.

Cumbria's representatives this year were Dalston, Kendal, Penrith BID and Silloth in the coastal category. The national results will be announced on October 27.

The award winners are as follows:

Cavendish Trophy, Greening Grey Britain for Wildlife Special Award: Grange Garden Group - Dalston Medical Centre; Schools Gardening Awards: Edible gardening winner, Yarlside Nursery & Primary, Barrow; Decorative features winner, Heron Hill Primary, Kendal; Wildlife habitats winner, Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary; Sensory/quiet garden, James Rennie, Carlisle; Container garden, St Michael's CE Primary, Dalston; Enriching and widening curriculum, Beaconside CE Primary, Penrith; Best school garden overall, Dane Ghyll, Barrow.

Tidy village trophies: Cumberland News Trophy (for small tidy village): Bolton, near Appleby; Sellafield License Co Trophy for large tidy village: Bootle.

The County Chairman's Rose Bowl for Industry (best commercial/industrial premises): GlaxoSmithKline Memorial Garden, Ulverston. Lakeland Ltd Trophy (best retail/hospitality): Bowling Club, Dalston; Rose Lodge Rose Bowl (best residential home): Barn Close, Stanwix; Continental Landscapes Trophy (special category): High Forge and Bishop’s Mill, Dalston; Friends of the Lake District (best sustainable development): Kirkoswald. Best Sustainable Development Town, Ulverston;

Dorren Parson Young Persons Trophy (best project by youngsters): Heron Hill Primary, Kendal; Provincial Insurance Trophy (churchyards): St Mary's Parish Church, Ulverston;

Cumbria Tourism Trophies: C.T. Rose Bowl (self-catering establishments and visitor attractions: Holgates Caravan Park, Silverdale; C.T. Chairman's Trophy (bed & breakfast/guest house): Ann Tyson's House, Hawkshead; Jackie Sanderson Trophy (hotel): Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere.

District Special Trophies: Eden Trophy: Penrith; South Lakeland Trophy, Ulverston; South Lakeland Trophy (for tourism): Holgates Caravan Park, Silverdale;

Village presentations: Windermere Lake Cruises Trophy, Bolton, near Appleby; Houghton Hall Trophy (best village): Bothel; National Park Trophy (best large village): Dalston;

Town presentations: Jennings Trophy (best small town): Aspatria; Business Improvement District: Penrith; GlaxoSmithKline Trophy (best town): Ulverston; Coastal resort: Silloth; NMP Trophy (large town): Penrith; Urban Community: Stanwix, Carlisle; Kimberley Clark Trophy (best village overall), Dalston; Rickerby Ltd Trophy (best overall town and Urban community): Ulverston; Community champion award (outstanding contribution to CIB): Leslie Dalzell and John Pickering, Threlkeld.