BLOOMING marvellous! Wimborne in Bloom have been crowned 'Champion of Champions' having topped the poll in the South and South East in Bloom competition.

Having won the small town category for the past two years, Wimborne was barred from entering the same category this year and was instead entered for the Champion of Champion prize against five other teams which had also won their respective categories two years in a row.

And they were presented with a gold prize and crowned overall winner.

The judges said they were most impressed with the Chapel Lane area, standard of planters and level of business participation.

Wimborne in Bloom chairman Anthony Oliver and his wife Christine were also awarded an 'In Bloom' medal for their services to the campaign over the past 12 years.

Mr Oliver said: "We're over the moon - we just have to hope we'll do well in the Britain in Bloom small town category.

"As for next year, the important thing is that we are able to keep going. We desperately need more helpers - we are losing some committee members and want some new blood."

Anyone interested in helping is welcome to attend a meeting on October 20 at 7.30pm in Wimborne Town Hall.

Other areas to do well locally included Poole, which won a silver award for the city category, Christchurch, awarded silver gilt in the large town category, and Highcliffe which won silver status and was crowned overall winner in the coastal resort category.

And two Dorset towns did well in the small town category with Shaftesbury being awarded silver gilt status and crowned overall winner and Wareham given silver gilt status.

First published: September 21