The Britain in Bloom judges have been in North Yorkshire, but the British weather threatened to rain on their parade.

IT was meant to be a leisurely breakfast; a last-minute spot of pruning and a final douse with the watering can. But after the torrential rain on Wednesday afternoon, villagers in Dunnington were up with the lark, trying to salvage their prize floral displays in time for the Britain in Bloom judges.

The storm had wreaked havoc in the chocolate-box village, where gardens were flooded and trees uprooted. Some feared their chance of gold had evaporated along with the flood waters.

Roy Freer, who co-ordinates Dunnington’s bid, remains optimistic, though. “Everyone was out by 6am and we pulled it back quite a bit, so fingers crossed,” he says. “Yesterday I thought we were good enough for gold, but after the devastation caused by the storm that has put it in doubt.

“I’ve lived here 78 years, all my life, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Dunnington is a Britain in Bloom finalist for the third time and punches well above its weight in the small town village category, alongside the likes of larger places such as Stony Stratford, Tetbury and Wareham, It has already won an impressive five gold Yorkshire in Bloom awards and villagers were hoping in September there would be another one in the trophy cupboard. One that says theirs is the best in the land.

Let’s just hope the judges lent a sympathetic ear and the unpredictable British weather hasn’t put paid to six months hard work.

Meanwhile, York was still looking blooming marvellous, even after the downpour, and we trust the judges were suitably impressed during their city category visit.

The city is hailed as the greenest in the north, but yesterday it was time for green fingers to come under scrutiny. And everyone seems to be involved, from Low Moor Kids Allotment and York St John University to the Eco Depot and friends of Acomb Green.

Then there is Fishergate in bloom, Fulford in bloom, even the roundabouts look a picture.

York has already hosted this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom judges, so hopefully by September will finally have a pair of well-earned gold medals as a reward for its horticultural endeavours.

York in Bloom organiser Liz Levett says: “Once again the city is looking fantastic and everyone has been working hard to get York in tip-top condition for the day. But the competition is not just about flowers, it’s about us all being proud of York and our local areas.”