BLOOMING boroughs from across Dorset are celebrating awards for civic pride.

The annual In Bloom competition has seen green-fingered residents of Boscombe, Shaftesbury, Swanage, Upton, Wareham and Wimborne rewarded.

Boscombe was rewarded for an "outstanding" entry in the category for neighbourhoods of more than 1,000 people, with Springbourne scooping a merit.

Shelley Manor, Boscombe Chine Gardens, and Churchill Gardens were among many areas that had contributed to the area's success, said Joanna Keats, the chair of Bournemouth in Bloom.

"We asked the judge at the awards ceremony in Crawley what we could do for our next challenge. We don't want to rest on our laurels. He suggested entering the category for best coastal town," said Ms Keats.

Swanage lifted that coveted award this year, winning a silver gilt award and being judged the best entrant in the coastal town category.

"Its wonderful. We won a silver gilt last year, and wanted to maintain that. But to win the category is marvellous," said Valerie Pike, the secretary of the Swanage In Bloom committee.

The efforts of council workers, and the enthusiasm of school children at Mount Scarfe school had impressed the judges, she added.

Christchurch was judged the best in category for large towns with a population under 35,000, while Shaftesbury took the silver award in a competition for medium-sized towns in the south of England.

The small town award saw Wareham win gold, with Wimborne and Upton receiving silver gilt awards for their efforts.

Anthony Oliver, the chairman of Wimborne in Bloom, thanked committee members and volunteers who had given up time to help the town to another award.