A TOWN back in bloom has celebrated its return to a regional competition championing community gardening.

This year, Darlington entered the Northumbria in Bloom contest after reinstating floral displays in the town that were previously cut as part of a £12.5m budget package.

And now, the efforts of Darlington Borough Council, town centre traders and volunteers has been recognised with the award of a silver gilt.

Hanging baskets and planters were sponsored by businesses, while volunteers helped to spruce up the town centre by painting benches.

The judges, who visited the town twice as part of their assessments, were also taken to see the Gerald Lee pocket park, created by members of the South Terrace Residents Association and Guerilla Gardeners Darlington Division, which lies under an advertising hoarding off the Feethams roundabout.

Four of the parks close to the town centre, including South Park, were also included in the judging, with Friends groups for each park working hard with Streetscene staff to plant and maintain bedding areas.

The town’s success in the best city centre category was joined by top results for businesses helping to make Darlington look its blooming best.

The Tapas Bar, on Bondgate, installing hanging baskets and displays around its outdoor seating area, was rewarded with a gold award in the pubs and hotels category.

Also recognised was the Atisha Kademapa Buddhist Centre, on Victoria Road, which was awarded a silver gilt in the religious establishments category for its community garden on a patch of land next to the Feethams roundabout, while the team at Hash Bar and Kitchen, on Coniscliffe Road, received a silver award as a commercial premises.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for leisure and local environment thanked all involved and said: "Returning the floral displays to the town centre, as well as additional street cleaning and reviving the Cascade water feature, has been one way to show our support for the town and make it an attractive place to visit and enjoy.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from residents and it’s great to see that backed up with this silver gilt award."