THE roots of Middleton St George’s successes at this year’s Northumbria in Bloom competition were largely home-grown.

In September, the village on the outskirts of Darlington scooped six gold awards in the Northumbria in Bloom awards as green-fingered residents continued on from their previous success in 2014.

Resident Valerie Porter, of The Greenway, was singled out for praise by local councillor Doris Jones.

Cllr Jones said: “A lot of thanks for this success is down to Valerie Porter who grows the bulk of our plants in her small greenhouse from seeds, saving us a huge expense and making it possible to give such a beautiful display across our village that even made the Northumbria in Bloom judges eyes open wide.”

Mrs Porter and her husband Kevin are busy all year, as she said: “I have a big greenhouse and order plug plants mail order which arrives in March, so I pick them out and grow them on.

"I make about 50 hanging baskets in May.”

She also showed her appreciation for the efforts the Cllr Jones puts into the village: “I'm a great fan of Doris Jones and the rest of the team. They have great ideas.”

Mrs Porter said Malcolm Short, who won best private garden will being erecting a sign to commemorate their achievements.

She said: “He's an amazing man, 80 years old, and a sign writer. He's going to do us a sign to put up at the park, saying awarded gold.”