The town scooped a silver after impressing the judges with its community-wide effort. There was particular praise for Melton County Park, the Memorial Gardens, Church Street and the floral displays across Burton Road bridge.

Deputy Mayor Norman Slater joined about 70 guests at the Grange Garden Centre and Alpine Restaurant, Asfordby Hill, to congratulate and thank organisers and supporters of Melton in Bloom.

He presented the prizes for the annual allotments competition, run by Melton Council, while Grange owner John Houghton handed over certificates and garden centre vouchers to the winners of the Melton Times' Great Gardens competition.

Margaret Pearson, chairman of Melton in Bloom, thanked volunteers, Melton Council and the Town Estate and local businesses for their support. She said: "Melton in Bloom is about putting the pride back into Melton and from the seed we've sown a mighty oak could grow. We've made a great start and hope to make even more progress next year."

Mr Houghton added: "We wish to congratulate everyone who got involved and hope this result will encourage and inspire others to support Melton in Bloom."

lThe next Melton in Bloom meeting will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, October 17, at Melton Country Park Visitors' Centre. For more details call Margaret Pearson on (01664) 500267.

Allotments competition winners were:- Redwood Avenue, I. C. Abbott; Victoria Street, Mrs Cahill; Lake Terrace, M.R. Greenall; Doctors Lane, Don and Penny Horobin; overall winner, Don and Penny Horobin

Great Gardens winners were:- Best front garden: Winner John and Joan Short, of Tamar Road, Melton; runner-up Graham Inkley, of Johnson Close, Melton. Best back garden: Winner Phyllis Handley, of Mayfield Street, Melton; runners-up Steve Clarke and Jean Graham, of Valley Road, Melton, and Alan and Margaret Rudkin, of Regency Road, Asfordby. Best business display: Winner Anne of Cleves; runners-up Noel's Arms and Newton Fallowell, all of Burton Street.