Colourful floral displays have seen a North-East city named champion in an annual competition.

Durham won gold and was named overall winner in the Champion of Champions category in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Near neighbour Chester-le-Street received a Silver Gilt Award and was overall winner in the Large Town category of the competition, while Stanley, competing for only the second year, won silver in the Town category.

Meanwhile, Peter Lee, project co-ordinator with Durham County Council’s Clean and Green team, won the Bob Woolley Award, named after the founder of Northumbria In Bloom, for the outstanding contribution by an employee.

Alan Patrickson, head of direct services at Durham County Council, said he was delighted at the result.

He added: “Durham City has risen to not one but two challenges this year – being entered into the Champion of Champions category regionally and also the Britain in Bloom UK Finals, so now we’ve got an exciting and nail-biting wait for the national results”.

Source: DurhamAdvertiser.co.uk