IT’S official: Halesowen is blooming marvellous – after the efforts of scores of volunteers helped the town scoop a prestigious national prize at Britain In Bloom.

Halesowen was named ‘Best Urban Community’ at the Britain in Bloom 2018 finals in Belfast last weekend by judges from the Royal Horticultural Society.

The town’s entry made the national finals after winning gold in the regional Heart of England awards earlier this year.

Halesowen in Bloom chairwoman Eve O’Connor, together with Halesowen councillor and Dudley Council’s deputy mayor Hilary Bills, travelled to Northern Ireland for the ceremony.

Eve, who is also the manager of the Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen, said: “We are absolutely overjoyed to see everyone’s hard work pay off.

“It’s all down to the countless hours and resources our volunteers plough in so generously.

“We knew we’d done well to reach the national finals – a first for Halesowen in Bloom – but we jumped for joy when we found out we’d won.

“Halesowen beat some tough competition to take the award. We first entered the competition in 2014 and we’ve learned lots of lessons along the way.

“Much as the awards are beautiful in recognising the work of our volunteers – it’s the delight the flowers bring to lots of people as soon as spring arrives in Halesowen.

“Halesowen in Bloom has brought people and business together to make the very best of our beautiful town.

“We will enjoy this – and then start thinking about how we can make it even better next year.”

More than 100 volunteers contributed to Halesowen’s entry, which landed a Silver Gilt award to triumph in a category which is open to urban communities with populations of 25,000 or fewer.

Halesowen beat Bankside in London, Evington in the East Midlands, Stanwix in Cumbria and Wolverton & Greenleys in Milton Keynes to win the prize.

RHS judges praised Halesowen for having the finest quality flowers, hard-working volunteers and a diverse range of greenery.

The entry was supported by Dudley Council whose cabinet member for environmental services, Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said: “The town looked beautiful in bloom and I am not surprised at all to see it receiving national recognition.”