The ‘breathtaking beauty’ of Nottingham’s floral displays has clinched the city the new title of Champion of Champions of East Midlands in Bloom.

The city was up against Oakham and Market Bosworth in the top category. Judges awarded all three communities prestigious Gold medals and said the outcome could not have been closer. It was the ‘fabulous quality’ of displays – particularly at the University of Nottingham’s campus and the Castle Grounds – that was the deciding factor.

Judges Jeff Bates and Doug Stacey also praised Nottingham’s great efforts to involve everyone everywhere to take a pride in their area. “People are responding impressively in Nottingham’s green renaissance,” they said, admiring the involvement of people of all ages and organisations in design, planting, maintenance and sponsorship.

The judges were also especially impressed with the ‘quite superb’ Arkwright Meadows Community Garden and the great efforts of the community in Collygate Road in The Meadows in brightening their street with planters.

Excellent sponsored roundabouts, floral displays by local businesses, the restoration of the rock gardens at the Castle and the University and initiatives to improve cleanliness and recycling also notched up more points for Nottingham.

Councillor Malcolm Wood, Chair of the Nottingham in Bloom Working Group, said: “This is an honour that is richly deserved thanks to the year-round dedication of many people – community groups, businesses, the Bloom design group and City Council staff. The judges recognise that while Nottingham in Bloom is helping to transform the City in spectacular fashion, it also has a great impact on improving social cohesion and sustainability.”

The University of Nottingham gained a regional honour of its own, with the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management Award for Horticultural Excellence within Parks for its campus, which is open to the public.

And four communities in The Meadows gained individual Neighbourhood Awards – a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens, and Certificates of Merit for Collygate Road, Willowbrook Court and the Old Meadows Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.

The city will find out on 24 September whether it has repeated its success at national level, when the Britain in Bloom ‘Champion of Champions’ is revealed at a presentation evening in Chester.