Ilkley has blossomed over the rest of the region to take two coveted Yorkshire in Bloom first prizes.

Voluntary members of the hard-working Ilkley in Bloom group were told at an official presentation lunch in Doncaster yesterday that the town had won the Small Town category - and Darwin Gardens Millennium Green had taken the Millennium Project Trophy for the second time.

Ilkley came out top in the small town category after taking a clear lead in the spring round of the competition - ten points ahead of nearest rival Todmorden. Volunteers discovered yesterday that Ilkley also came top in the summer judging, and took charge of three trophies.

Chairman of Ilkley in Bloom, Tony Gilroy, said: "Naturally we're all delighted, it's very good news. We've scooped the board. We won the best spring judging and the best summer, and the best overall, so we've got three pieces of silverware, which is very nice."

After being runner-up in the town category of the contest last year, a change in the competition rules meant Ilkley was moved to the Small Town category.

Volunteers have been working hard all year, creating new gardens which were added to the official judging route - and have obviously impressed the judges. Many Ilkley residents also lent a hand by taking part in town centre clean-up sessions before both the spring and summer judging.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Irving Hillary, joined Ilkley in Bloom at yesterday's prize-giving ceremony.

Those involved with the Darwin Gardens Millennium Green, on Wells Road, were also delighted to again take top honours in the Millennium Project Trophy. The gardens were created on an area of overgrown parkland, and have now become a major attraction within Ilkley.

The Millennium category ran for just three years, and as they have won the award for the second time, the Darwin Gardens Trust will be able to keep the trophy.

The gardens are still evolving as volunteers continue work on a nature pond and willow bower. The gardens' Millennium maze, which is constructed from stones arranged in the shape of the ancient fylfot symbol carved in a rock on Ilkley Moor, recently had its thousandth and final stone laid.

Trustee chairman Dr Peter Harnett said: "That's brilliant, it's very exciting. I think that is a superb triumph for Ilkley."

Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, Kate Brown, congratulated the efforts of all those who had gained the town recognition twice over.

She said: "It's excellent. I think it's wonderful, and it reflects all the hard work both of the group and Bradford Council, and everyone else who comes out help with litter-picking and the other work. It's all thanks to them."

And Ilkley ward councillor and Bradford Council Environment chief, Anne Hawkesworth, said: "These awards are a tribute to the work and enthusiasm of scores of people including the council's parks and landscape staff, the Ilkley in Bloom Committee, the Darwin Gardens Trust and local businesses."

Yorkshire in Bloom has also presented an award to Addingham Garden Friends, as the village won the spring judging round of the competition's Small Country Town category.