BANBURY'S Britain in Bloom hopes faded with the flowers this year when the town came second out of two in the Thames and Chiltern heat of the national competition.

Bracknell won the heat by five points (156-151).

It was the fourth year running that the Berkshire town had pipped Banbury in the regional '"small city" category to go forward to the national finals.

Judges who toured the town in July described Banbury as a '"stunning example of a town in bloom" and said they were impressed with the high quality and design of the floral features - which enhanced the historic characteristics and created an exceptional impact throughout the town.

The judges said the overall cleanliness of the Banbury, the tree planting, widespread community involvement, and effective waste management, were all of a high standard.

But their findings were not enough to lift Banbury above Bracknell in the overall points-scoring - but Banbury was awarded two supporting prizes.

Banbury won the "best commercial involvement" trophy, and the award for the "best treatment of roadsides and roundabouts".

In their comments on the commercial involvement, the judges said: "We always admire the amount of sponsorship that entries gain financially and in kind. We could have given this award to any number of cities, towns, and villages, but it was Banbury who showed the most impressive list of sponsors.

On roadsides and roundabouts, they said: "Henley on Thames, Abingdon, and Milton Keynes all featured on the short list, but the wide range of high quality displays including many effective non-seasonal elements, made Banbury a worthy winner."

The results were announced on Wednesday of last week in Olney, Buckinghamshire, when over 100 officials from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire gathered to hear the results and to receive their awards.

Local councillor Nicholas Turner, pictured, represented Banbury.

Mr Turner said: "We did not win but the project is still worthwhile. It helps improve the town and makes Banbury a more pleasant place to live, shop, and work.

"We will take notice of the judges' comments and try to do better next year.

"Wininng the best commercial and best roadside and roundabout categories was terrific news and we can build on that success for 2007."

  • Britain in Bloom, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, is the largest horticultural campaign in Europe. It attracts nearly two thousand cities, towns, and villages across Britain and is aimed at regeneration and improving local environments.

Categories are decided by population numbers, and Banbury is classed as a small city.