HORTICULTURALISTS in Gosfield are celebrating after the village claimed a silver gilt award during its first year in Anglia in Bloom.

The Gosfield in Bloom group was only set up earlier this year and volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare for the visit of Anglia in Bloom judges on Friday, July 13.

Despite missing out on the top prize in this year's Large Village category, the team were delighted to pick up silverware at the first attempt.

Speaking after Wednesday's awards ceremony, co-founder of Gosfield in Bloom, Mandy Adams, was quick to praise everyone who helped make the village look its best.

She said: "What an amazing day. Well done to all our Bloomers.

"Since January the team of Gosfield in Bloom volunteers have worked hard, planning, tidying, fundraising, planting and of course watering daily.

"We want to thank Halstead in Bloom for their guidance & support as they are such an inspiration to us - also I would like to say a huge congratulations to them on winning gold.

"I want to thank all of our lovely sponsors, the schools and businesses. We couldn’t have achieved this without your support.

"Anglia in Bloom has also guided us through the judging and moving forward are helping us to aim for gold in the future."

Blundeston, in Suffolk, claimed top prize in the village category, with Gosfield coming second, ahead of regular entrants Weeley.