Towns and villages across the district were celebrating today after triumphs in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Ilkley was the best performer, coming joint top of the towns section, while the village of Hawksworth won the small villages section for the third year in succession.

Ilkley scored 89 points and is now preparing for the summer round of judging and representing Yorkshire in August's Britain In Bloom contest.

Hawksworth, meanwhile, was joint first after scoring 94 points out of a possible 100.

The range of spring flowers and shrubs in private gardens in Ilkley was described as ''remarkable'' by the panel of judges, who were also impressed by the colourful planting in public areas and efforts to clear overgrown shrubbery and replacing it with trees and wildlife areas.

The town's In Bloom chairman, Wendy Hepworth, said: "It's a tremendous boost because people do visit because of the gardens and this puts us in a good frame of mind for both the summer judging and national competition.''

In Hawksworth the judges commended the wildflower planting, ongoing development of the village's woodland area and environmental projects carried out at the school. Hawksworth In Bloom committee member Margaret Raistrick said: "We're absolutely delighted and everyone in the village is because so much hard work's gone into it over the years. Everyone will now be working hard over the next few weeks to get ready for the summer round.

"We've had 200 wildflowers planted in the wood - we're a rural village and want to keep it looking as natural as possible.''

Elsewhere Otley was placed 11th out of 13 in the town category although the judges praised the In Bloom committee's enthusiasm and well maintained grounds of the town's hospital, churches and parks.

Bingley had only entered the contest for the very first time - although the judges said it had made "a very encouraging start for a new entry'' and described the colourful bedding round the War Memorial as "an absolute gem''.

Bramhope finished second in the urban community section with Addingham placed eighth out of 15 in the small country town category.

Bingley Town Centre Manager David Dinsey said: "We didn't expect to be among the Ilkleys or Wetherbys to start with but it's a very encouraging start and I'm very pleased with the judges' comments. It's not the winning that counts but the partaking.''

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