The judging for this year's Wales in Bloom competition has been completed and there is fantastic news for entrants from Pembrokeshire.

Tenby came out on top again in the 'Small Country Town' category coming first with a silver gilt, while Saundersfoot also achieved a merit with a silver in the same category.

Tenby has now won the accolade for the 29th time, and chairman of Tenby in Bloom, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, was 'absolutely thrilled' to have won back to back titles.

"We're thrilled with this title once again, it's a great achievement," she said.

"Everyone has worked very hard and our partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council and Tenby Town Council is getting stronger which shows by the fact that we achieved more points this year.

"I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has got involved, and we look forward to next year's challenge," added Clr. Mrs. Lane.

In the 'Hotels, Guest and Public Houses and Restaurants - frontage only' category, Tenby's Giltar Hotel won top prize with a gold, while the 'Caravans Static or Touring, Camping and Holiday Home Sites - under 100 units' category saw Amroth Bay Holidays finish first with a gold.

Wolfscastle claimed the title in the 'Small Village' category with a silver gilt.

Clr. David Pugh, Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet member for economy, tourism and communities, said: "Many congratulations to Tenby, Wolfscastle, the Giltar Hotel and Amroth Bay Holidays for winning their individual categories in this year's Wales in Bloom Awards and also to Saundersfoot for their silver award.

"Both Wolfscastle and Tenby have an excellent record in this competition and this year they have maintained their high standards which is always a difficult task to achieve.

"I know the county council's maintenance teams work very hard, in partnership with Tenby Town Council, at keeping Tenby looking its best.

"As well as maintaining many of the flower beds and public gardens and mowing the grass, they are also responsible for keeping the resort's streets and beaches clean, emptying the litter bins three times a day and painting the street furniture.

"On behalf of the county council, I am particularly pleased that in their adjudication comments the judges made special mention of the high standard of street cleansing in Tenby.

"They described it as 'superb' and this reflects great credit on our dedicated maintenance teams," he added.

Despite an indifferent season and challenging economic times, standards have remained high, and numbers entering have remained good.

Jim Goodwin, chair of Wales in Bloom, said: "This is pleasing as our organisation is dependent on this support for survival, after undertaking radical change to ensure the future of the competition."

Jim also congratulated the Giltar Hotel in Tenby and Amroth Bay Static Caravan Park, who both achieved gold status.

"This is a considerable achievement, and indicates very high standards of horticulture," he remarked.

Interest in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' campaign, supported by Wales in Bloom, has remained constant, with new groups being formed all over Wales. The campaign supports local community groups in cleaning up and greening up their immediate local environment, whether that's the street they live in, or a small patch of communal land needing a revamp.

A recent survey by the Royal Horticultural Society, who run Britain in Bloom, found a number of benefits to communities who are involved with Bloom groups. They found that they foster stronger communities and contribute to reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour.

It helps improve the health and well-being of participants and their wider communities along with building their skills and confidence levels. Through their efforts, spaces and places are transformed, natural environments are enhanced and in these tough economic times, they give a huge boost to local economies.

"We came through tremendous challenging economic times in the past two years and the quality of this year's entries has been a reward to everyone involved," continued Mr. Goodwin.

"We hope that next year we can spend more time on working with the volunteers and groups and less on balancing the books. If there is a partner out there who wants to join us to make Wales in Bloom bigger and better, please get in touch," he added.

Entrants in Wales In Bloom and It's Your Neighbourhood will receive their certificates and trophies at a ceremony to be held in Chirk on Friday, September 20.

Full results and further information can be found at http://www.walesinbloom.org.uk">www.walesinbloom.org.uk