BOUQUETS were showered on Felixstowe today as the resort won a hat-trick of trophies at the region's annual floral awards.Civic leaders, gardeners and traders were thrilled as the town picked up three awards at the Anglia in Bloom prize-giving ceremony taking place in Ipswich.

BOUQUETS were showered on Felixstowe today as the resort won a hat-trick of trophies at the region's annual floral awards.

Civic leaders, gardeners and traders were thrilled as the town picked up three awards at the Anglia in Bloom prize-giving ceremony taking place in Ipswich.

It had been hoped the resort's fantastic flower fish would net the town a haul of awards.

But the spectacular £D fish were excluded from the prizes because the main civic design cannot win two years running.

Felixstowe mayor Doreen Savage was able to collect the cup for the best small coastal resort plus the gold medal, one of only five in the region, after beating Norfolk's Cromer and Sherringham.

The resort also won the best industrial area for the Dock Basin and best local in bloom scheme for Felixstowe in Flower.

Overall winner was Norwich, which won six awards, and there were accolades for several Suffolk towns and villages.

Felixstowe town clerk Susan Robinson said: "We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to have won our category and to be one of the gold medal winners is just brilliant and shows the quality of our displays.

"These awards reward all sections of the community which took part this summer in getting the town looking its best and congratulations should go to everyone involved.

"I am especially delighted for the team of portworkers who do the displays in the Dock Basin and have put in an exceptional effort over many years, and it is nice to see Felixstowe in Flower and all those involved recognised for their work."

Mrs Robinson also paid tribute to the town council's cemetery team, lead by Peter Rodwell, and Suffolk Coastal's parks and gardens staff who kept the floral displays looking excellent all summer, despite the hot and dry weather.

The resort welcomed more visitors than for many years during the heatwave and its famous gardens were always looking their best.

The Felixstowe in Flower scheme, launched in the late 1980s after an idea by councillor Mike Deacon, is the lynchpin of its floral campaign.

It features 180 hanging baskets tubs and saddle boxes sponsored by businesses, groups and individuals, and a town floral trail. There are also a range of competitions for private gardeners, businesses, schools and allotment holders.

n For an alternative view of Norwich's triumph in the flower fest see Ipswich's finest Matthew Tackett on Page 14.

WEBLINK: www.angliainbloom.co.uk