VOLUNTEERS and organisations across the district have triumphed at the annual Yorkshire in Bloom competition collecting a number of top level platinum and gold awards.

The highest awards have gone to Harold Park in Low Moor, Keighley Town Hall square and Horsforth Hall Park, who all took home platinum.

In addition locations such as Horsforth, the University of Bradford, and firms including the Box Tree Restaurant in Ilkley, Airedale Shopping Centre and Mount Pleasant Kennels in Keighley, as well as Lumb-Beck Farmhouse in Addingham all won gold and their respective categories too.

Friends of Brighouse Station were judged to be outstanding, the highest award in the Royal Horticultural Society It’s Your Neighbourhood category.

Other groups, town and villages that won top prizes were Esholt, Calverley, Pudsey, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Lister Park in Manningham, Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall, and Cliffe Castle Park in Keighley, who were all awarded gold certificates.

Harold Park was praised by judges for the “impressive” number of schools and community groups who are involved with the park.

While Keighley Town Hall square was commended for being a “bright, flowery oasis in the heart of Keighley”.

Keighley town clerk Safia Kauser said: “Well done to everyone involved and to the people of Keighley for having a beautiful memorial garden and square, which we should all be proud of.”

Brighouse’s Incredible Edible project, was delighted to pick up a ‘thriving’ It’s Your Neighbourhood award in only the group’s second time of entering the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Liz Kenny, secretary of the group said: “This is thanks to the hard work of all our volunteers who turn out to garden come rain or shine and to everyone who has supported us in many and various ways, a big thank you to you all.”

The project is a grow your own scheme run by members of the community and was set up in 2013.

The awards were handed out at a special ceremony in York.

LOCAL WINNERS 2017

Small village: Esholt, gold.

Village: Grassington, silver gilt.

Urban community: Calverley, gold.

Town: Horsforth, gold (category winner); Pudsey, gold.

Large town/Small city: Keighley, silver gilt.

Public, private and charitable establishments: Abbeydale Residential Home, Ilkley, gold; Northcliffe Environmental Enterprises Team (NEET), Shipley, gold.

Public houses and restaurants: The Box Tree Restaurant, Ilkley, gold (category winner); The Stansfield Arms, Apperley Bridge, gold; The Old White Horse Brasserie, Bingley, silver gilt.

Guest houses, holiday cottages and small hotels: Lumb-Beck Farmhouse, Addingham, gold (category winner).

Visitor attractions: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Keighley, gold.

Small business premises: Mount Pleasant Kennels, Keighley, gold (category winner).

Shopping centres and retail parks: Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley, gold (category winner).

Country houses, estates, parks and gardens: Lister Park, Bradford, gold; Oakwell Hall Country Park, Birstall, gold; Roberts Park, Saltaire, silver gilt; Cliffe Castle Park, Keighley, silver.

Open spaces: Harold Park, Bradford, platinum; Horsforth Hall Park, Horsforth, platinum; Keighley Town Hall square, platinum; Calverley Park, Leeds, gold.

RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood: Cottingley, improving; Friends of Brighouse Station, Brighouse, outstanding; Incredible Edible Brighouse, thriving; The High Spring Residents Association, Keighley, thriving.

Harrogate Flower Show young people's award: Haworth Primary School gardening club, gold.

Universities, colleges and educational establishments: University of Bradford, gold (joint category winner).

Discretionary Yorkshire Rose Awards

Yorkshire Rose Memorial Award: Town Hall square, Keighley.

Yorkshire Rose Conservation and Wildlife Award: University of Bradford.