BURY'S determination to blossom and bloom has been rewarded.

A special "Certificate of Merit " has been presented to the borough by the Tidy Britain Group as part of this year's North West in Bloom competition.

Judges decided that the area deserved applause for the way in which it worked as a community to improve its appearance.

Bury Council's leisure services committee chairman, Coun David Willis, who accepted the award, said: "Tidy Britain Group were impresed with the way in which the council has combined with community groups, schools, pubs, businesses, in fact a real cross-section of those who live and work in Bury.

"We have established a partnership approach with the likes of Bury Chamber of Trade and Village Associations which have all helped to bring the bloons to every corner of Bury this year."

Competitive Services department's head of parks and countryside, Martin Hathaway said: "We have made a concerted effort to work with the widest possible cross-section within the community and this year that has really paid dividends.

"Our own 'Bury in Bloom' competition was extremely well supported and the standards were very high."

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