Falmouth has come up roses after its gardens and open spaces swept the board at the South West in Bloom Awards, winning more than any other town in the competition.

A delegation from Falmouth Town Council and Cormac attended the awards’ ceremony at Trowbridge on Thursday and came away with an armful of trophies which recognise the hard work put in by countless individuals.

The town’s biggest achievement was to scoop the Portman Cup for only the second time in 50 years, which means Falmouth will now be entered into next year’s national Britain in Bloom competition.

Queen Mary Gardens won the Abiss Memorial Trophy for best horticultural display in a municipal garden and when judges were asked how they could be improved for next year they claimed they were “unable to improve on perfection.”

The former quarry at Gyllyngdune Gardens, which has been transformed in recent years, won the TSW Trophy for “outstanding specific project” while Falmouth as a town also won the “best seaside entry” and the Plantscape Coastal Trophy.

The Mission to Seafarers based at Falmouth Docks won the Bruford Cup for the best horticultural display - non municipal, with volunteer Graham Hall getting a special mention.

Howard Burns, Cormac's head gardener also received a special mention and won the Community Champion award, which is given to individuals who have made an “outstanding contribution to horticulture in their community.”

Finally, the In Your Neighbourhood awards, which are biased towards community involvement, saw Queen Mary Gardens, Kimberley Park, Gyllyngdune Gardens, the Mission to Seafarers, Friends of Penmere Station, the District Allotments and Gardens Society and King Charles, St Mary's and St Francis Schools, all recognised as outstanding, which is the highest level of excellence.

The Friends of Tregonniggie Woodland also received an “Improving” award in this category.

Falmouth’s mayor John Body said: “I was extremely honoured to attend the awards and I understand that Falmouth won the most awards of any town in the competition this year and this is the best result for Falmouth ever in the competition. It was lovely to see so many schools involved, particularly when they all achieved the highest level of excellence.

“This clearly represents what can be achieved when local authorities work with communities and partnering organisations. All in all this was a fabulous day for Falmouth.”