GREEN-fingered residents in a village near York are celebrating their success in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Dunnington was awarded four first prizes and one second prize in the national horticultural competition.

And participants are already preparing to do even better next year.

Meanwhile, Pickering has scooped first prize in the small town category of Yorkshire in Bloom.

Town Mayor Betsy Hill said she was delighted the judges had chosen Pickering for a well-deserved award.

Dunnington gained first prizes in four categories - best improved entry, The Ben Bailey New Homes Award, the William Smith Memorial Trophy for wild flower areas and the best summer display, which it shared with Market Weighton and Pateley Bridge.

It also came second in the combined spring and summer display category.

Linda Oldfield, chairman of Dunnington Parish Council, said she was very proud of the village and its residents.

She said: "I have to say that we are particularly pleased that we got first place in the summer display because we seem to have been stuck on third or fourth place with that one.

"Obviously this year whatever we did was enough to tip the balance.

"We are already thinking about next year, and we want to come first overall - that's the only way we can top this year."

Pickering was awarded 172 points by the judges, who described the town's Memorial Hall as a focal point for the community.

"From the Memorial Hall the delights of this town can be explored," said the judges.

"From the car park, then to the market place and beyond there is a feast of colour from the many containers and hanging baskets along the street with the excellent floral frontages of many hotels and business premises."

The judges said they felt gardens in the estates were of a high standard and the well cared for play areas were another noticeable feature in the town.

Scarborough came away with two trophies - one for town centre floral displays and the other for maintaining a litter-free environment - and a prestigious second place overall in the large towns category.

Other successes included The Sawley Arms, at Sawley, near Ripon, which was joint winner of the commercial award for public houses and restaurants.

Harrogate was again outstanding in the large town category, with Wetherby again being successful in the town category.

Gilling West took joint first place in the Millennium Project Trophy with Crambeck.

Updated: 11:25 Friday, August 17, 2001