After weeks of anticipation, the results of this year’s South East in Bloom competition have been revealed, with Deal receiving silver gilt.

Chairman of the Deal in Bloom working group, Cllr Marlene Burnham, mayor Cllr Adrian Friend, mayoress Tracy Carr, deputy mayor Cllr Wayne Elliott, Carol Stickler, Linda and John Ford and town clerk Lorna Crow attended the award ceremony in Brighton on Friday, September 11.

Judges Paul Verrall and Irene Seijo visited Deal on Friday, July 10, noting a “marked improvement” since last year’s competition when the town won silver.

Cllr Burnham, who showed them around, said: “We are elated at the result for our town. These towns stretch from east Kent to Dorset, with populations of between 12,000-25,000.

“This is a tremendous result considering it is only our second year of re-entering this competition, since 2005.

“As chairman I would like to personally thank all the members for their involvement in the planning, organising of categories, also judging the town of Deal for our own competition, which our own winners will be receiving their awards on September 24, in Deal Town Hall.

“We now begin our planning for next year. We keep on ‘blooming’ for the ultimate award of gold.”

Cllr Elliott has praised the local shops, traders, Dover District Council garden department and the community gardeners for their contributions.

He said: “You all deserve a pat on the back.”