BUNGAY has once again hit the silver standard in the annual Anglia in Bloom awards.The town received a silver gilt award when the results were announced at a ceremony at the Ocean Rooms at Gorleston on Tuesday.

BUNGAY has once again hit the silver standard in the annual Anglia in Bloom awards.

The town received a silver gilt award when the results were announced at a ceremony at the Ocean Rooms at Gorleston on Tuesday. No town in the small market town category got an overall gold award, but Bungay were pipped in that section by last year's winners, Frinton, who got silver in more categories.

But Roma Went, chairman of the Bungay in Bloom Committee which again worked hard over the year on Bungay's entry, said they were encouraged by the results.

“We are very pleased we kept up our standard because no one else did any better than silver gilt and we got a very good report,” she said.

It said Bungay had again demonstrated how attractive the town could look with all road signs removed, and it praised the significant amount of effort put into providing more hanging baskets and planters, especially outside Barclay's Bank and other corporate buildings. The planting at the medical centre and displays at Charlish's Garage were also mentioned as were the commercial units and veterinary surgery in Hillside Road East, and the report said the proposals for linking the Castle bailey with the Castle Hills “seem very exciting.”

The judges were also impressed by the good use of local newspapers The Beccles and Bungay Journal, to publicise their efforts.

The Waveney Valley Canoe Club was on the short list of nominations for the community project - its efforts to clean up the River Waveney and creeks by canoe and boat.

Mrs Went said there were five sections in the competition and Bungay had got silver gilt standard in four of them - the only one that didn't get it was that for sustainable development.

She tanked everyone involved in the effort, and said they looked forward to even more involvement in next year's bid. She also appealed for more sponsorship for the town's efforts from local businesses and organisations.

The Town Reeve of Bungay, Martin Evans, and the Mayor, John Groom, were at the ceremony, along with members of the committee, to receive the silver gilt certificate.