THERE were celebrations in Felixstowe today as the resort enjoyed more floral glory - as its 3D ship to mark SeaBritain won a major award.The ship made of flowers outside the leisure centre has been attracting visitors all summer and today was named as the best civic display in the region in the Anglia in Bloom awards.

THERE were celebrations in Felixstowe today as the resort enjoyed more floral glory - as its 3D ship to mark SeaBritain won a major award.

The ship made of flowers outside the leisure centre has been attracting visitors all summer and today was named as the best civic display in the region in the Anglia in Bloom awards.

The town also won a silver medal for its entry in the best coastal resort category.

Mayor Cyril Webb travelled to St. Andrews Hall, Norwich, to join more than 400 people for the awards ceremony.

Town clerk Susan Robinson said: “We are so thrilled to win these awards - especially for the 3D ship which has been a marvellous attraction and has looked so spectacular all summer.

“It is really good for the town. The flowers have been tremendous this year and the competition between the towns has been very strong - the judges must have had a very hard job.

“The awards are a tribute to everyone involved.”

The huge three-mast sailing ship with sails and crow's nest is the latest in a long line of three-D creations, but nearly didn't happen this year because of Suffolk Coastal's cutbacks.

It was saved thanks to sponsorship by Pier Amusements and Felixstowe Town Council and designed to reflect the SeaBritain celebrations.

Judges Bob Hardwick and Paul Smith visited Felixstowe to assess its entry, seeing public and private gardens, allotments and schools' displays.

But only 25 per cent of the marks are for flowers and many other things, including environmental issues, such as recycling, graffiti and litter, the provision of litter bins and dog bins, seating, public parks and open spaces, are also judged.

It is the 20th year Felixstowe has entered Anglia in Bloom. This year it was up against Cromer, Hunstanton, Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Clacton, and Sherringham, which took the main award.

Chairman of judges George Dawson said: “The judges do not look for floral excellence alone and it is not just about what is done by the local authority. The way business and commercial premises are enhanced, environmental matters and also residential front gardens are also taken into account.

“Permanent planting is encouraged as is nature conservation and waste prevention - we pay attention to how clean a place is and whether it is litter and graffiti free.”

Bury St Edmunds won best large town, Saxmundham best small town, and Martlesham the drought garden.

What do you think of Felixstowe's flowers this summer? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

WEBLINK: www.angliainbloom.co.uk

THIS year's Ipswich in Bloom awards were announced to a nervous audience at a ceremony to mark the achievements of the 200 people who took part.

The mayor of Ipswich, Bill Wright, was among the guest presenters at the event last night, which was held at Ipswich Methodist Church in Black Horse Lane.

Organisers hailed this year's awards as a huge success having received entries for a variety of categories including best front and back garden, best hanging baskets, best shared garden and best business display.

One of the big winners on the night included Anita Calton, who scooped the top prize for her entries in the Best Container and Best Hanging Basket competitions.

Other prize-winners included The Station Hotel, who won the Best Pub and Restaurant, P&O Ferrymasters, Best Business display and Queensdale Close for Best Kept Floral Street.

Also at the event were eight-year-olds Ashleigh Curtis and Georgina Taylor from Gusford Primary school who won the schools art competition and ten-year-olds Adam Moss and Katie Hubbard, both from Broke Hall Primary School, who were the winners of this years schools writing competition.

All the winners received prizes from Thompson and Morgan's nurseries who donated gift vouchers, along with a special trophy to commemorate the award.

The Ipswich in Bloom awards are open to anyone living in the IP1 to IP4 postal areas of Ipswich. For more information on how to enter next years awards, please contact Brian Cartwright, Secretary of Ipswich in Bloom on 01473 289556 or e-mail b.cartwright@btinternet.com