Exmouth has won a gold award and Champion of Champions prize in the South West in Bloom competition.

The presentation ceremony was held  at Truro  Cathedral on Wednesday, October 3, and a group from Exmouth in Bloom were there to receive their trophies, along with others from across Devon and the rest of the south west region.

Exmouth in Bloom was among the Champion of Champions contenders this year, along with Truro, Torquay and Sidmouth, after winning the St Bridget Cup in the Large Town category last year. 

The group said they are 'thrilled and proud' with their success.

Exmouth Journal: Some of Exmouth in Bloom's plantings this year

In the Discretionary Awards, Exmouth’s Bystock Pools won the Sutton Seeds Cup for 'outstanding nature conservation', and Littleham  Primary School Gardening Club was runner-up In the Clem Preece Memorial Trophy for 'outstanding school effort'.

Exmouth in Bloom was also among those nominated for several other awards. The station concourse area was nominated for the Bruford Cup for 'best non-municipal horticultural display, and the South West Tourism Trophy for the best portfolio showing the work accomplished in the last year.

The new murals behind the long 'Wavy Bed' near the LED Leisure Centre were nominated for the Dee James Trophy for 'art in the landscape'.

Bystock Pools was also nominated for the Conservation and Protection of Rural England Awards for the 'best environmental project'. 

East Devon District Council was nominated  for the London and Manchester Trophy for 'outstanding contribution to an environmental initiative'. 

Exmouth  Brownie Connie Browning won 2nd place in the 7-11 age group for the South West in Bloom Painting competition, judged by Lady Emma Fellowes, with the theme ‘ The Incredible Edible Garden’. 

A spokesperson for Exmouth in Bloom said: "We sincerely thank everyone who  contributed in any way to make these awards  possible -  to be recognised as the best in the South West 2023 is truly astonishing."

"We  just have to wait until 23rd of October to hear the results of the Britain in Bloom National Competition now!  Cross your fingers for us! “