East Midlands in Bloom winners 2024 include a Gold for Bourne

Winners of the East Midlands in Bloom competition are being announced - and green-fingered communities are celebrating a variety of victories.

Bourne won its first Gold Award in the annual competition after many years of taking part.

It is a particularly poignant achievement for town clerk Ian Sismey, who helps organise the town council-run Bourne in Bloom group, and is due to retire as town clerk in the coming months.

He said: "This is an amazing achievement for the town and a real community effort.

“We continue to strive to make a difference for residents and visitors alike with our efforts."

Meanwhile, Long Sutton clinched a Silver Award, while Kay Jenkinson, who founded the Long Sutton in Bloom group won a committee award recognising her years of service.

Judges for the competition visited participating towns and villages in July and categories included ‘Small Village’ with up to 300 residents, up to ‘Large Town’ with up to 35,000 residents.

Winners were announced at a ceremony in Melton Mowbray on Wednesday evening but East Midlands in Bloom has not yet published full results.

If you’re an East Midlands in Bloom winner this year, send details to news@lincsonline.co.uk