ALTRINCHAM’S flower power was rewarded with a bunch of honours at the North West in Bloom awards.

Altrincham Community Team (ACT) received a highly coveted Gold Award in the ‘large town’ category on Friday, October 24, as well being recognised with the ‘Best Community Effort in the North West’ and best town centre community planter awards.

Elsewhere, Stamford Park and St Andrew’s Court Residential Home were awarded ‘Thriving’ status (level four out of five) and environmental regeneration group Our Altrincham was awarded ‘Developing’ (level three out of five) for the unfunded Guerrilla Gardens on Oakfield Road.

Sarah Walmsley, one of the campaign coordinators from ACT, said “Altrincham’s community groups and those businesses who joined in with our efforts to beautify the town can feel very proud of themselves for the contribution they have made to this astounding success.

“We have set a new standard in the North West and hope to continue showing how a community such as ours working closely together can make a positive difference to the fortunes of our town.

“We aim to continue developing and improving sites around the town in the years to come and are therefore appealing for volunteers and business support. If anyone is interested in being part of our winning team, please email info@altrinchaminbloom.org.uk.”

Altrincham Community Team took over the ‘In Bloom’ campaign in April from Trafford Council and set out to involve the community in the regeneration of the town’s planted environment.

Its main objective was to help Altrincham back onto the map as a destination town, by achieving visible improvements and injecting interest and humour into the town’s displays.