JUDGES praised the community in Thornbury as they toured the town as part of the Britain in Bloom competition.

The past year has seen a plethora of new groups and projects around the town which the two judges were introduced to as the town looks to continue its past successes.

Thornbury in Bloom, run by a team of dedicated volunteers, won gold in 2013 and in 2014 were awarded silver gilt and have also been recognised on a national level.

Former head of Royal Horticultural Society shows Bob Sweet and Tim Eley were the two judges shown around the town in the morning of Thursday, July 16.

They visited, amongst many others, the community composting site and Daggs Allotments and were also treated to a performance by Crossways school pupils who danced around the maypole at the newly-planted ring of thorns near Tesco.

After their tour the judges praised the town and the dozens of volunteers at The Chantry centre.

Tim Eley said: “We’ve had a fantastic morning here in Thornbury. It’s great to see so many volunteers involved in everything you’ve done. I was highly impressed by the standard I saw everywhere.

“What you do is for the benefit of the town which is a fantastic place.”

Representatives from businesses, schools and the volunteer groups which form a part of the town’s entry into the competition had been invited to the gathering following the tour.

Speaking at the event, Thornbury in Bloom chairman Guy Rawlinson thanked the many volunteers and organisations who they had worked with for their help with this year’s entry.

“This year we’ve taken a three-pronged approach to our entry; community, environment and open spaces.

“We’ve encompassed many elements of the town but there are so many great features that we weren’t able to fit into the tour like Thornbury golf club.

“The council (Thornbury Town) as well as South Gloucestershire Council have been really supportive of our work and our many volunteers have been fantastic again in making the town look fantastic.”

The results will be announced at a special event in Dartmouth on September 24.