GREEN-fingered residents of towns and villages across the area are celebrating excellent results in Yorkshire in Bloom.

In the spring round of the competition, Hawksworth came second in the small village section and first time entrant, Esholt, in the same section, was praised for its great enthusiasm, despite coming 13 out of 16.

Otley's bloom committee was delighted with its joint seventh placing with Morley in the hotly contested town section, which was won by Ilkley.

And relative newcomer Guiseley was third in the urban community section which it shares with Bramhope.

Shirley Hughes-Rowlands, co-ordinator of Guiseley in Bloom, said they were delighted with their best ever placing in the contest.

Guiseley, placed two places in front of Bramhope, was described by the judges as a very good entry with colourful private gardens and verges.

Mrs Hughes-Rowlands said: "We're absolutely delighted. We came ninth in the spring judging last year and to come third this year is such an improvement.

"We've got an absolutely marvellous committee, in the gardening world, it'd be described as a committee of good doers."

Mrs Hughes-Rowlands said people in Guiseley had been very supportive and appreciative.

"People are actually stopping me now and saying how much better Guiseley looks and that is what it is all about. It's not about winning, its about making the place look better."

She praised Guiseley businesses for offering sponsorship and also Leeds City Council's parks department for its help and advice.

Judges described Hawksworth, which was placed second behind Crambeck in the small village section, as 'almost faultless'.

Just one point behind the winners, Hawksworth had an enthusiastic In Bloom group and a 100 per cent commitment from residents, said judges.

Milton Booth (comment coming)

Meanwhile, in Otley, Sylvia Reid, secretary of Otley in Bloom, said she was delighted with the results.

"It's an excellent result. We knew things were not going to happen overnight and the judges have endorsed everything we plan to do in the future."

Judges described Otley as having an enthusiastic team of people behind the entry.

Mention was made of the town's many projects, including the transformed Transco Corner, off Cambridge Road, and the memorial gardens. Judges also highlighted work done by the town's churches, on housing estates and future projects being planned by the group.

It said: "The exciting projects planned will help the group to develop additional support from the town and improve further within the competition, the judges were impressed with this year's entry."

Mrs Reid added that the town's entry into the contest was only a small part of the work carried out by the group and all the other people who helped by clearing rubbish and keeping their own gardens looking nice.

She said Otley, which had improved on last year's spring judging result, was up against very tough competition including winners Ilkley.

"It is really important for more people to get involved and we can move onwards and hopefully upwards," she said.

In Bramhope, judges said they could not fail to be impressed by the colourful private gardens.

Praise was also given to the grounds of the Bramhope Holiday Inn and to the church gardens. It added although Bramhope was a 'good entry' it could be helped by displays outside businesses.

First time entrant, Esholt came 13th out of 16 in the small village section. Judges said despite the last minute decision to enter, Esholt's entry had been very good. The judges said: "We are certain that with the enthusiasm we experienced, this village is going from strength to strength- watch this space."