A SMALL town has been voted the best in the country, while once again being awarded Gold in a national flower competition recognising the beautiful displays of blooms.

Whitchurch in Bloom has said it is "delighted" to have won the award in the Small Towns category of the nationwide RHS in Bloom 2024 competition for the second year running.

The team received an additional accolade as they were also awarded the nationwide ‘Small Town of the Year 2024’ award, beating all the other towns across the country.

It is a culmination of a huge amount of work by the team of volunteers led by Whitchurch residents Caroline Wells and Kathy Hardy.

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Kathy Hardy and Caroline Wells, who have led the community-wide initiative, are pictured at the RHS In Bloom 2024 awardsKathy Hardy and Caroline Wells, who have led the community-wide initiative, are pictured at the RHS In Bloom 2024 awards (Image: Whitchurch in Bloom)

Having won bronze in 2021, silver gilt in 2022, and gold in 2023, the team have forged forward and made huge progress in 2024.

As well as mobilising an army of volunteers to beautify Whitchurch, they have also laid the groundwork for the future, investing time and energy over the past year to achieve the deliverables of their BDBC Pride in Place grant including a new polytunnel and associated key infrastructure.

Caroline said: "We are hugely grateful for the support of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Whitchurch Town Council as well as a lot of hands-on hard work from local Whitchurch residents.

"We are looking forward to seeing our new polytunnel installed so that we can ensure our long-term sustainability and hopefully continue our stellar award-winning achievements."