THE floral charms of Ilkley and Addingham have bloomed over the rest of Yorkshire in the first round of this year's Yorkshire in Bloom contest.

Volunteers who tend the flowerbeds and green spaces in Wharfedale were thrilled to hear yesterday they had won their categories in the spring judging.

Addingham now leads the small country town, and Ilkley is top of the small town category. A delighted Ilkley in Bloom chairman, Tony Gilroy praised all those who had helped in the spring effort.

"Clearly we are absolutely delighted, because we are in a new category this time, and we didn't quite know how it would go. This is the first time we've been in the small town category, and I'm happy to say we have won this category in the spring judging," he said.

"The judges said it was a very professional presentation, and said the town was looking absolutely marvellous."

The judges followed a route which took in The Grove, Brook Street, the Manor House, Darwin Gardens and Springs Lane. Darwin Gardens last year took a special Millennium award in Yorkshire in Bloom. One of the new spring attractions this year were the recently-created gardens at the Springs Lane Medical centre.

Ilkley won 179 points in the spring round of judging, ten points ahead of closest competitor Todmorden. And Ilkley's old rival, Wetherby, which is now in a different judging category, has gained one point less than Ilkley in this round of judging.

Mr Gilroy has great hopes for Ilkley's chances in the summer round of judging, which will take place in July. Ilkley in Bloom volunteers hope to unveil a new garden created on a plot off land off Leeds Road, as their latest project.

Enthusiasm in Addingham is also high for the summer judging. Addingham was awarded 176 points by judges, three points ahead of its nearest rival.

Alan Haigh, of Addingham Garden Friends, said: "I think it's great for the village. The thanks mostly go to the people who have really done the work. We have about 18 people who work in a working party, and a lot of thanks goes to them."

Judges described Addingham as a good entry, and commented on school posters promoting the competition in the village. They said the sites managed by In Bloom volunteers were 'striking' and made note of colourful residential gardens, and the churchyard.

l Around 60 villagers this week attended an Addingham Garden Friends gardening evening with BBC Radio Leeds gardener Joe Maiden, who gave advice on hanging baskets. The Garden Friends plan to hold a village-wide hanging basket competition in the summer to help boost the Yorkshire in Bloom effort.