THE TOWN'S and villages of Westmorland once again made an impact in the Cumbria in Bloom awards, announced at a the presentation dinner at Windermere.

Kirkby Stephen, which last year won the Hayes Garden World Trophy for best Larger Villages, received a silver-gilt medal while fellow Eden winners Appleby, Kaber, Kendal, Morland, Kirkoswald, Penrith and Skelton were awarded silver medals.

Appleby came runner-up in the National Park Trophy for Best Small Country Town while Kirkby Stephen was runner-up in the Kimberly Clark Trophy for Best Village Appleby Manor Hotel, who won the Jackie Sanderson Trophy in 2003, this year took second place.

Last year, Kirkby Stephen also one The Rose Lodges Rose Bowl and took second place for best Residential Homes with Christian Head. Also in 2003, Appleby won the District Special Trophy for Eden and came second in the National Park Trophy (Best Small Country Towns. And the Lowther Arms in Penrith took second place in the Lakeland Limited Trophy for Best Commercial property.

In the 2003 Friends of the Lake District Trophy (Environment) section, Kirkby Stephen, Kaber and Great Strickland were Highly Commended.

Every year, volunteers, businesses and local authorities work behind the scenes to keep the county's towns and villages "blooming" lovely for both residents and visitors.

The annual competition began in the late-1980s and the tourism industry is recognised with a special Cumbria Tourist Board category.

Chris Collier, chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board, said: "You only get one chance to make a good impression and thanks to the efforts of those taking part in Cumbria In Bloom, any visitors arriving in the county are impressed by the floral welcome."

Colin Cheyne, chairman of Cumbria In Bloom, added: "This year again we have seen several communities - hamlets, villages and towns - put in lots of effort to improve their appearance and position in the competition.

"And while I welcome the competitive aspect, I really applaud all who take part because the participation brings such good results, not only visual but also the satisfaction of achieving something and the bringing together of different people within a community.

"Thanks to all in 2004 and here's to welcoming more participants for 2005."

Frank Sanderson, press officer for Cumbria In Bloom, said: "It's very, very evident that those people who work hard to make their premises look good, get more trade. It really does help promote tourism, on which Cumbria is heavily dependent."

He added: "Volunteers are the backbone of the competition. In some of the smaller places, there are just two or three people who go out of their way every year to take part, which is always pleasing."

The presentation on the shores of Windermere was hosted by South Lakeland District Council and the mayor of Windermere Town Council, Patricia Holmes.

Other dignitaries attending included Cumbria In Bloom president Peter Howarth, chairman Colin Cheyne and executive committee members.

The Cumbria In Bloom committee will consider which contestants go forward to represent the county in the prestigious Britain In Bloom 2005 competition.