NAILSWORTH scooped a gold award at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards.

Judges visited the town in July and yesterday named Nailsworth as among the cream of the crop for the Heart of England.

The town scooped gold in the Small Town category, with Royal Horticultural Society experts praising their floral displays and colourful planters.

Chairperson Liz Townley, planting coordinator Liz Steele and group member Sheila Peaple picked up the accolade at a ceremony held at Dunchurch Park Hotel in Rugby.

Chairperson Liz Townley said: "Liz Steele and Sheila Peaple, supported by town groundsman Richard Blackwell and all the Bloomers, have worked tirelessly over the last couple of years and deserved the gold which has been gained for the town.

"Nailsworth in Bloom would like to thank everyone who has sponsored and encouraged us this year, especially those who have helped us weed, grow, plant, dig, and clean and all our fundraisers."