EVERYTHING looks rosy in Ilkley's garden as the town celebrates yet another story of floral glory.

Ilkley finished top of the tree in the small town section of the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

The omens now look good for the town's assault on national honours in August, when it will be battling for the Britain in Bloom title.

This is the second year in succession that Ilkley has seen off all its rivals in the Spring round of Yorkshire judging - at least, nearly all.

The competition judges could not separate Ilkley and Wetherby, awarding both 89 points out of a possible 100.

This year's results have a touch of deja vu about them. In the corresponding event last year both Ilkley and Wetherby scored 89 points. However, the latter just scraped home in the summer round of judging.

The judges, although unwilling to award Ilkley outright victory, were clearly impressed with the town's 1999 Spring entry.

In their report the judges said 'The praiseworthy efforts of the Bloom committee has resulted in a balance of floral and green development.'

'The range of Spring flowers and shrubs in private gardens was remarkable and extended throughout the town,' they said.

The report also praised the environmental work carried out, from the extensive clearing of overgrown shrubbery to the planting of trees and cultivating wildlife areas.

Wendy Hepworth, chairman of the Ilkley in Bloom committee, said: "We are all delighted with the news. We have been in the top three of the competition for the past 10 years. A lot of hard work goes into making sure the town looks good, not just for the judges, but all through the year."

Mrs Hepworth said: "We are beavering away, the committee members and the Bradford Council gardeners who have carried out such a lot of pruning. We all have our fingers crossed for the summer."

Ilkley will represent Yorkshire in the Britain in Bloom competition. This is a very tough event and the committee believes the town will really have to pull out all the stops to clinch top honours.

Should Ilkley achieve this impressive domestic 'double' the town will qualify for the Entente Florale (the European Cup of floral competitions).

Addingham finished eighth in the small country town category - the same position it achieved in the Spring round of judging last year.

The judges praised the Addingham bloom committee for a 'commendable effort.' Tree planting, heather gardens and a wide variety of Spring flowers in Low Mill village also received praise. However, the judges felt there was a need for more involvement from the business community. Parish clerk Pam Boulton said: "We knew we would not win because we can't compete with towns like Pateley Bridge. But we have come equal with Helmsley, about half way. We are really quite pleased with that but we would have liked to come a bit higher."

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