Business people in Ilkley have been criticised for not supporting the town's Yorkshire in Bloom entry.

The town scooped two honours in the annual awards, winning the Wybone trophy for a litter free environment and coming second in the best kept town category.

But the judges concluded that "there could still be more effort made by businesses in the town to support this excellent entry".

Chairman of Ilkley parish council, and a member of Ilkley in Bloom Committee, Alexander Henderson, agreed that more could be done by commercial premises saying that the number who entered this year was lower than last year.

But he added: "A tremendous amount of credit must go to the Ilkley in Bloom team who worked extremely hard. Our thanks go also to Bradford Council's gardeners who do such wonderful work on the floral aspect of the town."

Ilkley parish councillor Barbara Cussons said: "It's the multi-nationals who don't do their stuff such as Woolworths and Boots though a lot of them put displays out and bring them in at night."

Patrick Preston, manager at one of Boots branches in Ilkley said: "To be honest there's not much scope for contributing to flower arrangements. There's no provision for hanging baskets and the pavement is restricted for putting flower pots out."

A spokeswoman for Woolworths in Ilkley said: "We would be happy to meet with the parish council and see if we could help."

And Hazel Evans of Spooner Industries Ltd, Ilkley, said: "We do support it and I think people will pull their weight."

Addingham and Otley came seventh and ninth in the small country town and town events respectively and Keighley came fourth in the large town category. It was also awarded third place in the ILAM town section, which looks at business properties, local authority buildings, street furniture and cleansing.

Hawksworth was winner of the small village category at a prize ceremony at Leeds Civic Hall yesterday.

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