Halstead in Bloom's top boss has paid tribute to her "amazing" team after they secured a decade of success in a regional horticultural competition.

Margaret Eskins says the dedication and commitment of the volunteers has been key to Halstead winning ten straight best town awards in Anglia in Bloom.

The team were already out cleaning and tidying the streets again on Tuesday, as their thoughts turn start turning to defending their crown again next year.

Mrs Eskins says the continued success in Anglia in Bloom is never taken for granted and she has paid tribute to all the volunteers who spend "several thousand" hours each year making the town look it's best.

She said: "It's still very exciting for us and it is always such a long wait to find out the results. I still get quite apprehensive and am terrified before the results.

"I think winning ten in a row is just unbelievable.

"We have been able to do this because of all of the wonderful people that help. They are absolutely amazing and it's a real privilege to be the chairman of such a wonderful team.

"Everyone mucks in, roles their sleeves up and just gets on with it. It's not a summer thing, this is 365 days a year hard work."

Mrs Eskins also reserved special praise for Halstead Town Council, Braintree Council and Essex County Council. The three authorities offer support and help to Halstead in Bloom throughout the year. Sponsors have also been thanked for helping cover running costs which add up to at least £10,000 every year.

While the volunteers and community spirit has been highlighted as key to Halstead in Bloom's continued success, Mrs Eskins says there are other areas which helps make the town stand out.

She added: "Attention to detail is very important. For example, something like cleaning all the weeds around the town before the judges come can make such a difference. Yes you have the colourful displays but you have to make sure everywhere is litter free and tidy.

"We do try to concentrate on the route the judges will take but you have to make sure the whole town is ready, especially if they arrive the night before and take a wander around the town.

"We make sure everything is 100 per cent. But we have to come up with different things each year to make us memorable to the judges and that is becoming more difficult.

"The colour scheme changes each year and we try to have themes which work well with national or local celebrations taking place that year."

Having dominated Anglia in Bloom's town category for a decade, the In Bloom volunteers will meet up in the coming weeks to decide if they want to enter in next year's competition.

Despite admitting the hard work to prepare the town each year can be tiring, Mrs Eskins says it is likely her team will want to enter again, and seek to win an eleventh successive title.

She said: "We do feel the pressure of being winners each year because you feel you have to keep getting better. We really wanted to win this year to make it ten in a row so we will see about next year.

"Obviously it will depend on what the team thinks but I think we will be entering again. We say every year we will get beaten at some point but we keep hoping that's later down the line."