Double award success puts 'proud' town on map

Volunteers have said two national awards recognising their efforts in making their town a welcoming and attractive place to be "means everything".

New Brighton, in Wirral, has been honoured twice as part of the RHS Britain in Bloom UK 2024 awards.

The New Brighton in Bloom volunteers received a gold award in the nationwide small coastal resort category as well as beating other coastal regions in the North West to be awarded the title of best small coastal resort.

At a ceremony on Monday, Vicky Phillips Jones, who set up the group, said it was "absolutely amazing" to win.

Ms Phillips Jones, who began the group six years ago, said: "It means such a lot, and we are really proud of what we have achieved".

Judges visited some of the coastal town's planters and flowers, including those on Victoria Road, Seabank Road and along Coastal Drive.

The group looks after more than 100 different plant pots, planters, and two make-shift boats filled with flowers across New Brighton.

Sue Phillips Jones, who is part of New Brighton in Bloom, said: "It's a large area to cover and we rely so much on our volunteers.

"The award means everything.

"The plants won't look after themselves, we do put a lot of effort in around the community so when you get recognised, it is lovely."

Mayor of Wirral Council, councillor Shevy Povall said: "Everybody has pulled together to win these really, really good awards, and to put New Brighton on the map once and for all.

"They give people incentives to do more, you feel as though people appreciate what you do because lots of people give a lot of time, and get no recognition at all and I think it is really important to say thank you to all of our volunteers.

"It just goes to show what a community can do when they work together."

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