Oakham has scooped a Silver Gilt Award in the town category of the 2019 East Midlands in Bloom competition.

The results were announced today (Weds) and the group's Facebook and Twitter pages posted news of its success tonight.

The Facebook post reads: "Thanks to our brilliant volunteers for all their hard work over the last year."

And the Twitter post: "Thanks to our brilliant volunteers and all the hard work they put in. We missed gold by 2 points.

"Like with Bake Off our displays simply weren't ready for the judges to see. I am sure two weeks later they would have been impressed."

The Oakham in Bloom team, which saw the town also win a Silver Gilt Award last year, welcomed the judges in early July.

They were driven on an extensive pre-determined route with several stop-offs -including Burley Park Way to view the roundabouts, Catmose Arboretum with its collection of mature and newly-planted trees and Rutland County Museum garden - in a car supplied and sponsored by Tim Norton Motors.

The judges were then met at Oakham Library by Oakham in Bloom representatives and supporters before walking to Oakham Castle via Market Place - where Nifty Knitters group displayed knitted flowers around lampposts - for a buffet lunch laid on by Oakham WI.

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Oakham in Bloom gardening group and supporters made a huge effort in the run-up to the judging - including planting 2,500 plants across the town.

Rutland County Council and Oakham Town Council were also involved in the community preparations.