BOURNEMOUTH’S parks team is celebrating after scooping a long list of accolades at this year’s South and South East in Bloom awards.

Bournemouth Council achieved its best-ever results with eight golds, six silvers and seven category wins.

It was judged the best in Dorset and best coastal town.

All areas tasted triumph from the Townsend Together team, Tuckton Tea Gardens to Charminster in Bloom.

Boscombe Chine Gardens won gold and overall winner for the best large park for the third year running while Hengistbury Head won gold and topped its category in the conservation area award.

All entrants were assessed by judges to a consistent standard – gold being classed as outstanding and silver as very good.

First-time entrants into the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Award’, Friends of Boscombe Gardens, were deemed outstanding.

Chris Evans, Bournemouth’s nursery manager, was given special recognition with the outstanding contribution award and Margaret Dudden won best front garden for the second year in a row.

Cllr Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture, said: “These awards show just what can be achieved when the council and the community join forces to improve our local environment.

“It fills me with civic pride to know we have created parks and gardens in Bournemouth of the highest standard that we can truly be proud of.”

Di Parker of Bournemouth in Bloom added: “My thanks must go to residents who have done the real physical work to make our gardens what they are.

“The awards are a testament to the tremendous community effort that has gone on to make our homes and community spaces somewhere we can all enjoy and admire.”

The parks team have now turned their attentions to the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards in October.