CRAVEN is celebrating four silver gilt awards in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

The accolades went to Skipton, the town's Holy Trinity Church, Grassington and Airedale Hospital, Steeton.

And Skipton was also the joint winner of the spring floral award category.

Judges made special mention of the garden at the town's Parish Church Primary School, the spectacular produce at Broughton Road allotments, the wide range of attractive floral features, the Stepping Stones Project, work completed in The Wilderness and Skipton Auto Services' Sheep on a Bike.

They were also impressed with Holy Trinity whose grounds were used by the media and spectators during the visit of the Tour de France in July.

Judges said: "Well done for reclaiming it and bringing it back to attractive haven in the middle of a busy town."

They also praised Skipton for "springing surprises" and including new areas which demonstrated the dedication and hard work of the team.

Chairman of Skipton in Bloom, Robert Heseltine, said: “These fantastic results have been achieved by hard work, enthusiasm and commitment from a wide range of people in Skipton.

“The floral displays around the town have been superb this year. The phased planting before and after Tour de France weekend worked extremely well and all those involved can be very proud of their efforts.”

The judges who visited Grassington said the village was "neat, tidy and welcoming" with many attractive containers in various locations throughout the village.

And they added: "The Bloom team is very hard working, organising events throughout the year to raise much needed funds to create and maintain features in the village."

There was also praise for the gardeners who maintain the grounds at Airedale Hospital.

The judges said: "These extensive grounds of mainly grass and laurel shrubberies with difficult working slopes are maintained by a decreased number of gardeners headed by Steve Marshall. The total dedication and enthusiasm of all three is to be commended.

"The entrances all have colourful beds to make a more visual impact, which is especially good at the western entrance."

The judges suggest that to overcome staff reductions, an offshoot of the Friends could be formed to help with general sweeping and flower bed maintenance.