Wharfedale and Aireborough have triumphed in the first round of the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Guiseley and Hawksworth have come first in their categories and Otley has come a close second in the Spring judging of the contest.

Guiseley took first place in the Urban Community section for town's with a population of 2,000 to 10,000.

Guiseley-in-Bloom co-ordinator Shirley Hughes-Rowlands said she is delighted.

"I am absolutely over the moon," she said. "It is marvellous. We had such a good team effort. Leeds City Council parks department and all our organisations and citizens of Guiseley have worked hard.

"We have no parks and we have really done well to come first."

Guiseley came third in the Spring judging last year and this year it came first with 168 points.

The judges commented: "This community has clearly come a long way in the past three years in the competition. The central area was colourful, particularly the 'gyratory' at the main large roundabout with a major face lift from last year and the well presented Memorial Gardens.

"Hillcroft Place Flats was very colourful and well-maintained and there was a most interesting environmental phased project at Springfield.

"The local school, clinic and churches all provided good examples of community involvement and the housing areas were to a good standard."

Hawksworth village came first in the Small Village category with under 300 people with 190 points.

This is the fifth year the village has come first and co-ordinator Milton Booth is once again over the moon.

"I am thrilled," he said. "I think it is amazing that we have won the competition five times in the last six years. It is wonderful and I am sure everyone in the village will be equally delighted."

The judges said: "In spite of the dust from the stone quarry lorries, Hawksworth upholds its pristine appearance.

"It was good to see the further development of past projects in addition to the re-positioning of the 'milestone' in Odda Lane.

"Community involvement continues to be much in evidence especially that of the local school children. Congratulations - another superb entry."

They suggested that the village considered screening the transformer by Hawksworth Wood and replace the concrete planters with stone ones.

Otley was given 166 points and came second in the Towns with a population of 12,000 to 35,000 category.

It was beaten by Wetherby.

The judges claim Otley has made good progress and has had a number of achievement

"A project of particular note is the Lea Croft one, where traditional housing grass areas have been transformed into a community garden," they said.

"Congratulations to all those involved. Future plans for Otley will see some major landscape works around the Church which will improve the town centre.

"The group is to be congratulated for having the vision and courage to tackle this large project. Consideration could be given to altering the judge's route to make a more uniformed walk-around programme to ensure continuity, as this would help with their presentation."

Secretary of Otley-in-Bloom Sylvia Reid was thrilled.

"It is absolutely brilliant news," she said. "I cannot believe it. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us in Otley."

The Summer judging will take place from July 7 to 25 when Yorkshire in Bloom judges will be revisiting the entrants.

Judges will pay particular attention to how much local communities are involved.

Chairman of Yorkshire in Bloom, Maurice Baren said: "In the Urban Community Category both Guiseley and Beeston have demonstrated how possibly unlikely winners can really lift their local environment, by providing colourful planting and also embarking on new environmental projects."

He also called Hawksworth an 'inspiration'.