ALTON Town Council has hosted the annual In Bloom awards ceremony at the Assembly Rooms.

Derek Gardner welcomed residents to last Friday’s awards night and praised entrants for their “wonderful effort” this year.

Town mayor Pam Jones then announced the results of the residential, commercial, town and individual categories, presenting winners with certificates and cups.

Alton has taken part in the regional South and South East in Bloom competition annually since 1999, and this year the town entered four categories: Jubilee Playing Fields in the Large Parks section; Flood Meadows in the Large Conservation Area section; the Public Gardens in the Small Park of the Year section, and Alton in the Large Town category.

Mrs Jones told attendees on Friday that, following the ceremony in Brighton the previous week, Alton was awarded Silver Gilt status for Flood Meadows, the Public Gardens and Jubilee Playing Fields, with the town as a whole also receiving a Silver Gilt.

Mrs Jones felt the event has “blossomed” over the past 16 years and said it has been “heartening to see how community involvement has increased”.

“A memory I take away with me this year is a conversation I had with a young man aged three,” she added. “We were discussing some herbs his playgroup had been growing. I pointed at one herb and asked if he knew what it was and, in what I felt was a very mature approach, he pinched the leaves, smelt his fingers and then told me it was mint.

“We believe in starting our gardeners as early as possible in Alton so I am sure the town will continue to bloom and its gardens to flourish.

“It has been a pleasure to be able to present these awards, well done and thank you to all who have played a part in Alton in Bloom 2015.”