Colne scoops bloom award

COLNE is blooming marvellous - and that's official. The town is being recognised in a top North West competition.

Representatives from the Colne in Bloom committee are off to a special awards ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on Friday night to collect an accolade - but they will not know what they have won in the North West in Bloom competition until they get there.

Last year the town scooped two awards - second runner-up in the large town category, along with a special award for the Basil Street Allotments' Grow Your Own project. But this year they are hoping to do even better and clinch the top title.

There are 17 categories in the competition and Colne is competing in the one for large towns. The judges came to Colne in July when they were taken on a circular tour, giving scores for its horticultural and environmental achievements.

Coun Dorothy Lord, Chair of Colne in Bloom, said: "We are thrilled to be winning an award: "It will be great to be acknowledged for all the hard work residents have put into improving the town.

"It is about much more than just flowers; it covers a range of other things, including cleanliness, tackling litter, graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

"Thanks to the commitment of these local people, we have made some positive and lasting changes."

Pupils from Sacred Heart RC Primary School are also being rewarded for their efforts. Over the last three years the schoolchildren have worked towards transforming a derelict plot of land into a woodland area for themselves and the local community.