THREE communities from Wharfedale and Aireborough have been crowned floral kings in the Spring Judging of Yorkshire in Bloom.

Otley, which in previous years has come bottom in its section, was named best town by the judges, who singled out the improvements made at All Saints C of E Parish Church for praise.

Guiseley also topped the rankings in the Urban Community category, while Hawksworth kept up its winning ways by winning the Small Village section once more.

There was disappointment for Horsforth, however, which finished as bottom town.

Otley in Bloom Secretary Sylvia Reid said: "I am delighted and surprised because with all the road works that have been happening in Otley, we as a group had considered not even entering In Bloom this year.

"But so many people have been taking part in it and last autumn everyone had been urging us to 'go for gold', so we thought we'd give it a try, anyway, and that people would understand if we got a disappointing result.

"Now we are absolutely delighted, it just shows the determination people are now showing to try and get the town's problems sorted out.

"We've had lots of help from Leeds City Council's cleansing and parks departments, so a big thanks to them and of course all of Otley's residents and businesses for helping us achieve this."

Mrs Reid says preparation work for the next round of the competition, the Summer Judging which will take place in July, is already under way and hopes more people will join the group, which is also seeking more sponsors.

Treasurer Linda Massarella said: "We'd like to thank all our sponsors and grant-making bodies because there financial support has certainly made a big difference to the work of the group.

"We are always looking for new sponsors so if any business is interested in supporting the group please get in touch."

Anybody who would like to help can contact Mrs Reid on (01943) 850879/462157 or Mrs Massarella on (01943) 463663.

The judges praised the spirit of the "very dedicated and enthusiastic" Guiseley in Bloom team, and reserved special commendation for the War Memorial display.

Guiseley in Bloom Co-ordinator Shirley Hughes-Rowlands said: "It is wonderful to have won and I think it is down to everybody in Guiseley taking part, because the whole community got behind us.

"We are all really delighted because you never quite know how you have done. We've got a very good community spirit and everybody from the schools through to the brass band and large businesses pulled together.

"I think we've all done very well - Guiseley, Hawksworth and Otley have all given the area a boost.

"Everybody is raring to go now and we're starting work for next year already, never mind the summer!"

Guiseley in Bloom, which meets at Aireborough Leisure Centre at 7pm on the second Wednesday of each month, is keen to welcome new members and would also like to hear from anyone with plants to donate. Call Mrs Hughes-Rowlands on (01943) 872903 to find out more.

Meanwhile, Hawksworth's entry was praised for showing the "total commitment of the community", with the judges hailing a "tidy, immaculate and colourful environment".

Hawksworth in Bloom Co-ordinator Milton Booth said: "We're very pleased. If you exclude the year we were put into the national competition, and so excluded from the Yorkshire event, we have won it six years on the trot.

"This is the seventh year, although we've got to pull our socks up to win the Summer judging and make it seven on a trot.

"We have done wonderfully well thanks to the people who live here who help, not just with planting but tidying litter and other things, and to the council and the various sponsors who support us. The school also does a wonderful job for us."