HALESOWEN In Bloom swept the board at the annual awards ceremony with organisers "blown away" at the town scooping 'gold'.

Halesowen was named overall winner for the first time ever and even scooped two special awards - Eve O’Connor for outstanding achievement as the chair of Halesowen in Bloom and Leasowes Walled Garden in the Health and Wellbeing category.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Heart of England In Bloom Awards feature seven categories ranging from small villages of 1,000 residents to large towns of 50,000 - each with about ten entrants.

Halesowen went up against nine other entrants from across the West Midlands in the urban community category.

This year Halesowen scored 98 per cent and was awarded gold.

Halesowen will now go forward as the Heart of England’s representative in the national competition in 2023.

The last time this happened was in 2017 when Halesowen went on to win the national competition in 2018.

Eve O’Connor, chair of the bloom committee said: “We are blown away with this year’s results.

"It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of so many people who love Halesowen.

"In December we will have a Halesowen in Bloom celebration party when all who contributed will receive a “Thank You” certificate.

"We have a great team who work all year round proving, People make places!”

Halesowen News: The town's many awards (Pic: Hilary Bills) The town's many awards (Pic: Hilary Bills) (Image: Hilary Bills)

Halesowen in Bloom secretary Hilary Bills said: “The judges’ citation highlighted the many volunteer groups we have in Halesowen and also praised the joint working with the council’s street cleansing team and green care workers.

"They congratulated Halesowen on the close working partnership with the town’s businesses through the Business Improvement District team. "Just an amazing result!”

In 2023 there will be two sets of judging, The Heart of England in July and in August the National Judges will be back in town.