The teams of green fingered volunteers and council workers who keep Falmouth's parks, gardens and open space in tip-top condition, were praised by Britain in Bloom judges last week.

Ian Beaney and Brendan Mowforth, representing the Royal Horticultural Society, were taken on a whistle-stop tour of the best Falmouth has to offer last Thursday morning, when they were accompanied by town council and Cormac staff.

Falmouth is a finalist in this year's Britain in Bloom competition and is up against Henley on Thames, Pembrey and Burry Port, Tewkesbury, Barnoldswick, Cupar and Dalton with Newton in the town category. Truro is the only other finalist from Cornwall and is in the large town category.

The judges ended their tour of Falmouth at Gyllyngdune Gardens and the Princess Pavilion where they were greeted by representatives of many community organisations and volunteers who all play a part in keeping the town looking its best.

Mr Beaney told them: "It has been a privilege to see some of the work you have done here today. One of the big things that really struck me this morning is it is so rare to see apprentices being trained and that is something of great merit and great value.

"I think you have a beautiful town. You should be justly proud of it. It has been a very, very interesting morning - congratulations to everyone."

Falmouth now has to wait until October to know whether all the hard work has paid off and the town will be named the best in the country.