GREEN-FINGERED Maldon residents are blooming with pride after retaining their Anglia in Bloom gold award for a third year running.

At a ceremony in Norfolk last Thursday, it was announced that Maldon had retained its gold standard award.

In 2015 the town was awarded its first gold since 2006 after eight years of collecting silver gilt awards.

Judges visited the town back in July when they were shown a range of top floral displays.

Dorreen Linton, of Maldon in Bloom, said: “Maldon was awarded gold in the town category, so completing a hat trick of gold awards in the last three years and its fourth in the last ten years.

“The team worked extremely hard this year with near daily working parties preparing the route from early June up to the date of the judges’ visit in July.

“Our special awards venues were all of a very high standard and represented the huge amount of hours undertaken by volunteers.

“The Maldon and Dengie Stroke Support and Carers Group raised bed in St Peters’ Churchyard has become a focal point in the High Street for the public to stop and admire.

“It was nominated in the Garden for Special Needs category and so will re- ceive a certificate to honour the group’s achievement.”

The 2017 campaign may be over but volunteers are already getting prepared for next year.

Mrs Linton added: “This year, definitely more of the public have been aware of both the Maldon in Bloom competition and the town’s involvement with the Anglia in Bloom campaign.

“The team have received help and from all sides of the Maldon community including residents, churches, schools and playgroups, community groups, businesses, and Maldon Town Council especially Jennifer Eva, Environment Officer who was a huge support in preparing our portfolio and organising meetings.

“Skippers, the town council groundworks contractors were on hand to give last minute assistance.”

Bob Ollier, chairman of Anglia in Bloom, said: “This year standards have continued on from last year with excellent awards achieved, the outstanding community work, many resourceful projects and superb floriferous displays have all added to fantastic community entries.”