Usk in Bloom volunteers were hoping it was going to be third time lucky during their 35th anniversary year as they trekked up to Sunderland for the Britain in Bloom annual awards ceremony.

But in the end they had to settle for second place in the Champion of Champions category - pipped at the post by the tiny village of Norton in Hales.

The awards were announced at a gala dinner attended by hundreds of volunteers from across the UK.

All six section finalists (Norton, Usk, Bath, Truro, Filby and Market Bosworth) achieved the coveted Gold Standard during judging in the first week of August.

Usk in Bloom chairman Tony Kear said, “It has been a remarkable summer for Usk where ‘Bloom Fever’ has taken off during our 35th anniversary year.

“The town and the Usk in Bloom volunteers have indeed been honoured to be the first ever Welsh community to be invited to take part in the Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions category so soon after the royal visit last summer of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

“What has been so astonishing is the way in which the community has come together during nine months of planning and planting.

“With no guaranteed funding at the start of each spring, or paid employees, local business and volunteers have joined forces to help add more displays and make Usk a more and more desirable place for visitors to admire the outstanding floral displays and heritage that our community is so proud of.

“In times of council cuts, to see residents take ‘Your Street in Bloom’ to the next level by sweeping streets, litter picking and weed pulling has been so heart warming. Our community has truly aimed to be the best in the UK.

“We have been honoured by the visit and support of Wales’ First Minister who recognised the economic benefit that volunteers can bring. To see so many visitors taking photographs bears testament to the quality of the work undertaken.

“It’s been a pleasure to compete this year and we need to leave a legacy that our town will benefit from. To come so close again for the third year in a row has been tantalisingly frustrating. We knew this was a unique and privileged one-off opportunity which was fully embraced by many and lost on some. Our volunteers are immensely proud to have achieved the merit of a gold medal standard again.”

The judges praised a highly professional presentation of the town, commenting, “Usk represents everything that Bloom stands for and is a great ambassador for Wales in Bloom and for the wider Bloom movement.

“This level of achievement can only be attained through the hard work of a self supporting community that is united for a common cause.”

The wild flowers outside Usk school, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Martin and Andrea Scholl of Bridge Street’s cafe Number 49, were singled out for particular praise and described as ‘stunning’.

The judges also commented, “Seldom do we meet such a knowledgable and enthusiastic group of children as those at Usk Church in Wales School.

And they also felt they were ‘privileged’ to see the private gardens of Marion Powell and neighbour Len and Marie Watts - who have won the best front garden in Wales in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Tony Kear said he wished to thank everyone from residents to local businesses and sponsors who have supported Usk in Bloom’s efforts this year.

“It’s been a long hard campaign. We were truly exhausted at the end of it, however the outcome has been worth every moment!”