Bloom award for West Sussex town

Haywards Heath won the award after entering for the first ever time

A Sussex town has won an award in a prestigious national flower competition.

Haywards Heath, in West Sussex, scored a gold medal in the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Britain in Bloom finals.

Judges, who visited in July 2024, were impressed with the presentation of the scarecrows and the overall appearance of Muster Green in the town.

Councillor Sandy Ellis, chair of the Haywards Heath In Bloom Committee said: "We are so proud of this wonderful achievement for our first entry into Britain In Bloom."

The displays were a community led effort

Haywards Heath Town Council said the displays were a community led effort, with input from a local school, AGE UK and a care home, among others.

Ms Ellis added: "The beautiful artwork produced by care homes and local groups played a huge part of our entry into South and South East In Bloom and Britain in Bloom.

"Haywards Heath is not just pretty to the eyes, it has prompted sustainability, adopted traditional practices to improve biodiversity and is full of a wonderful and caring community."

The Britain in Bloom award has been running since 1963