RESIDENTS are celebrating after their town won a top horticultural award.

Friends groups, businesses, schools, and residents’ associations all from Beckenham are celebrating after achieving a Silver Gilt award in the Urban Community category of the London in Bloom competition.

The award was given to recognise the hard work from the local community and Bromley Council, who all worked together to create positive and lasting improvements to the area.

Patrick Phillips, head of parks and green spaces across the Bromley borough, said: “Many people take pleasure in their surroundings and seeing flowers and displays around the borough enhances that.

“This award recognises the dedication and enthusiasm of all the residents and partners involved.”

When the judges visited Beckenham they judged the town on many factors including high street flower baskets, window boxes and pavement planting.

They also visited Kelsey Park Sports College and Kelsey Park, both in Manor Way, Beckenham.

Wickham Road allotments and High Broom Woods were also visited.

The annual ‘In Bloom’ competition is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and aims to encourage people to take pride in their environment and help create a safer, cleaner, greener neighbourhood.

In addition to receiving the Silver Gilt award, Outstanding and Merit awards were also given to five of Bromley borough’s friends groups.

Merits were given for the ‘Small Neighbourhood’ category to Blenheim-Arpley Residents’ Association in Penge and also the Friends of Tugmutton Common in Farnborough.

Alexandra Residents’ Association in Penge were given an Outstanding award.

Two Merit awards were also given in the ‘Neighbourhood’ category to the Friends of Royston Field and Royston Estate Residents’ Association in Penge and Friends of Mottingham Woods in Mottingham.

For further information on friends groups, parks, open spaces and allotments, visit bromley.gov.uk/parks or call the landscape helpdesk on 020 8313 4471.