A GREEN-fingered, hard-working team of volunteers have done the double at a national awards ceremony.

Blooming Haddington scooped a gold award and won the town category at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals on Friday evening.

Haddington, which represented Scotland, was one of only six areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the Town category of the awards.

The East Lothian town’s medal, the highest available, confirms its position as one of the greenest and most beautiful towns in Britain.

Joe Forte, chairman of Blooming Haddington, made the trip to Birmingham for the awards.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled at winning Gold and being named category winner in only our third year in the Bloom competition and our first in Britain in Bloom.

“All the community groups involved in Blooming Haddington will be extremely proud of this recognition.

“The award will be displayed with pride in the town centre for everyone to enjoy.”

The RHS Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony celebrates the huge contribution made by 300,000 green-fingered volunteers whose hard work and dedication help transform what are often grey and unloved areas into greener, cleaner and more beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Over the summer, teams of RHS judges travelled the length and breadth of the country to see the 72 finalists’ Bloom campaigns to determine who would lift the top prizes.

Each finalist was assessed against three key criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility and of course, horticultural achievement.

Roger Burnett, chairman of the UK judging panel, said: “This has been an outstanding year for Britain in Bloom with local communities devoting tremendous amounts of time and effort into greening grey areas and sharing the many health and social benefits of horticulture.

“The judges were very impressed by the way communities refused to let the many challenges they faced hold them back.

“The finalists’ desire and determination to make their environment as green and pleasant as possible was truly humbling.

“We as judges are privileged to have a front row seat to see Britain in Bloom volunteers change the lives of thousands through their work. And it’s fitting that their efforts are recognised and celebrated.”

The 72 Britain in Bloom finalists were vying for Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze medals, category winner awards and discretionary awards for achieving excellence in particular fields.

For the first time the RHS introduced a special award to recognise areas that have overcome adversity, such as flooding or vandalism.

Ahoghill in Ulster secured the ultimate community gardening prize when it was named the 2016 RHS Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions.