Blooming marvellous! Community volunteers are the pick of the crop

Washington, Seaham and Southwick have proved they're blooming lovely!

- by Katy Wheeler

A crop of projects and places in our area have come up trumps in Northumbria in Bloom, which recognises people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley, who have improved their communities through community gardening and sound environmental practices.

Communities from across the North East came together on September 17 at The Fed in Gateshead where the winners were announced.

Washington Village was named as Best Overall Entry, praised for creating a haven in a commuter belt.

Other communities in our area are also celebrating, with Seaham winning the Coastal Resort category amongst others.