A poisoner who tried to wreck a North-East resort's Britain in Bloom entry has failed miserably.

People in Saltburn, east Cleveland, were devastated when a mystery saboteur slipped chemicals into a bowser used to water hanging baskets and tubs.

Hundreds of people came out in force to replace the plants and flowers in time for the Britain in Bloom judges' visit in the summer.

And their efforts paid off when Saltburn-by-the-Sea gained a bronze award in the small coastal town category at last night's Britain in Bloom finals in London.

One of the Saltburn in Bloom organisers, Carole Miller, said: "We are thrilled.

"Everyone worked so hard, so this is wonderful for the town.

"We had such a big setback in the summer, and everyone worked hard to put it right, so to be able to enter the competition at all was good."

Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, won the large town category, gaining a gold award, and nearby Darley won the large village class with a gold award.

Representatives from 61 towns, cities and villages attended the awards ceremony at the London Guildhall last night, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Among other prize winners were: Alnwick, in Northumberland, with a bronze award in the small town category; Aycliffe Village, County Durham, which gained a bronze in the large village section; and Durham City with a silver award in the large town category.

Also honoured were: Newcastle, which got a silver gilt award in the large city group; Ripon, in North Yorkshire, with a silver gilt award; and Whitburn, Tyne and Wear, which got a silver in the urban community category.

A Britain in Bloom Gardeners' World special focussing on several of the finalists will be screened on BBC2 at 8pm on Sunday.