A gardening club in Preston is celebrating after winning a national Britain in Bloom Award.

The Ribbleton Library Gardening Club scooped the best small neighbourhood trophy after the judges praised the flowers, vegetables and trees in the stunning community garden.

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David Jackson, from the Ribbleton Library Gardening Club, said: “I’ve been a regular visitor to the library and I said there’s funding for library refurbishment but nothing for the gardens and they were in pretty sorry state.

“Within a few weeks we had a garden ready for Britain in Bloom and we won a merit award. We won a thriving award last year and now we’re the winners.”

The city received a silver award for its green spaces and eight community projects were branded outstanding.

Preston council also produced a short video showcasing the work which goes on to improve the flowers, trees and shrubs in the city.

Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for community and environment, said: “These awards have given people a real sense of pride about their area and I am delighted that all their hard work has been given this well deserved recognition.

“As well as improving green-spaces and turning grot-spots into assets for the whole community the awards also play a huge part in helping to nurture a true neighbourly feeling amongst our communities.”

Overall the city won 50 prizes at the awards and Holme Slack Primary School was awarded an Environmental Awards for Schools for its outstanding sustainable management of the school grounds.

What do you think about the awards? Are you involved in community gardening projects? Let us know in the comments below.