RYEDALE is celebrating success in the annual Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Malton was awarded a gold medal, excelling in the three core pillars of horticulture, environment and community achievement and were declared category winners in the class for small towns.

Thornton-le-Dale also won gold in the large village section and an award for the best new entry, while Scampston Hall Gardens went home with a gold award in the class for Tourist Attraction.

Roger Sharples, chair of Thornton-le-Dale Village Hub, said: “A gold award for Thornton-le-Dale is a great success for the village hub volunteers who have spent hours preparing for Yorkshire in Bloom. It is a marvellous result considering it is the first time we have entered the event and on top of that we received an award for best new entry.”

Paul Emberley, Mayor of Malton, said: “This was fantastic news, and yet another well-earned accolade for our town.

“Above all, its testament to the hard work and dedication of our town council officers, our supporters, and all the Malton in Bloom team, but I must especially pay tribute to the small ‘army’ of enthusiastic public-spirited volunteers from around our community who worked like Trojans.

“We are indebted to them all, and on behalf of the town I just want to say a heartfelt thank you. So many residents, businesses and visitors have commented favourably, and the award itself is tangible recognition for the pride we all share in Malton.”

Antony Croser, a member of Malton in Bloom, said: “This is a another great achievement.

“The judges recognised how much has been done in a relatively short period of time by a variety of contributors, and the positive impact this has had on the community.”