MEMBERS of Barnoldswick in Bloom are celebrating after being named the Best Town in the North West.

Several members of the group were in attendance at the North West In Bloom Awards in Southport when Royal Horticultural Society judges gave Barnoldswick the trophy for Best Town in the North West.

They also awarded Barnoldswick in Bloom its fourth RHS Gold Medal since 2011, the first year that the town entered the North West in Bloom awards.

"It was a good day for our town," said Barnoldswick in Bloom member David Whipp. "Not only did we win our fourth RHS Gold Medal, but Barnoldswick was named the Best Town in the North West. We're stunned and surprised to come out on the top.

"As a consequence of our success, we've been nominated to represent the region on a national level," he said. "We'll be competing in a different league and that will entail more work.

"I'm confident that we'll portray Barnoldswick in a good light and make Barlickers proud."

Although it will be a challenge, he explained the bloom group will be ready for the task.

"Our approach is community based and our strength is the small contributions that people make.

Lindsay Gaskell, secretary of Barnoldswick in Bloom, said the group receives help from a lot of proud Barlickers living all over the community.

She said: "There are a lot of people involved round and about and every little bit that everybody does helps.

"We've got a small pool of volunteers that is getting larger," she added. "Members of the community are taking pride in cleaning up their town. Taking pride is what Barnoldswick in Bloom is all about."

In addition to the above mentioned awards, Barnoldswick also won North West in Bloom trophies as Best Newcomer in 2011 and Best Feature in a Public Place in 2013.