A MARKET town has scooped ten awards from Yorkshire in Bloom in its first attempt at entering the gardening competition.

Richmond was awarded a silver gilt and also won the 2018 Yorkshire Rose Discretionary Award for best new entry.

Charity Just The Job, which helps adults with disabilities find work, picked up a gold award in the charitable establishments category, as well as a Discretionary Yorkshire Rose Award for the best supported learning project.

About project Original Richmond, judges said: "Formed just ten months before judging, with the aim of using ‘In Bloom’ as a catalyst to bring the community together, Original Richmond have demonstrated how a town of this size can pull together to improve and enhance its environment for the benefit for all.”

Just the Job manager Steve Biggs said: “Everyone at Just the Job is very proud of their achievements and it’s great to be recognised for all the hard work our team members, volunteers, staff and supporters have contributed to our brilliant project. Visitors are always welcome when the gates are open, and if you stay long enough you may get a spade put in your hand. The community orchard is also open all year round with fruit to pick in the autumn.”

King Street Kitchen and Gift Shop picked up a silver gilt. Owner Alyson Swift said: “I am really pleased with my award. Like the other businesses, this is the first time we have entered and I take it as a great compliment for the shop.”

York House was awarded a gold award, while Yorkshire Country Holidays received silver gilt for the holiday cottage’s Mr. Yorke’s Walled Garden.

Millgate House achieved gold, overall business winner in the category, and Yorkshire Rose Best Business Award 2018 – a triple credit to add to Tim Culkin and Austin Lynch’s string of awards for their town centre garden.

Marcia McLuckie, chairman of Original Richmond, Richmond Business and Tourism Association, said: "The Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association entered Yorkshire In Bloom to raise the profile of the town and its businesses as a beautiful place to live and visit. Working closely with Richmondshire District Council and Richmond Town Council, our committee has created a lot of interest among the community on how Richmond is presented and cared for. Members of the public and the businesses really got behind our entry working hard for this great result.”

The committee will meet on the curtilage in Richmond Market Place on Saturday, September 15 from 11.30am.