STOURBRIDGE glittered in the sunshine today (Thursday July 17) as the town showcased its best features in the 50th anniversary Britain in Bloom campaign.

Organisers of Stourbridge in Bloom took Heart of England judge Nicola Clarke on a whistle-stop tour of the town, which already has six consecutive gold awards under its belt.

Whether Stourbridge’s dedicated green-fingered volunteers have done enough to earn the town a seventh gold gong will, however, remain a tightly-guarded secret until September but organiser David Harcourt praised the efforts of voluntary groups and organisations who have helped to spruce up the streets and parks this time round.

He said: “I think everybody has given a fantastic account of themselves and they should be really proud of what they presented to the judge.”

Stourbridge Crystal Quilters were among the community groups which turned out to highlight their pride for the town – and in-keeping with this year’s golden anniversary Bloom campaign they presented a mini exhibition of hand-made, gold-coloured quilts in the gardens surrounding St Thomas’s Church.

The judges taking in towns, cities and villages across the country have also been keeping an eye out for gold coloured plants this year.

Nicola Clarke, from the Heart of England in Bloom campaign, said it had been "a real privilege" to see Stourbridge blossoming once again.

She added: "As ever it’s been an absolute delight. David’s shown the very best bits that Stourbridge in Bloom has to offer. I’ve seen all the very, very hard work that a lot of voluntary and friends groups have done. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself."

She praised new-look town clock area, by the revamped Crown Centre and new Tesco store, as "very impressive" and added: “It’s always lovely to see a project come to fruition and it’s good to see there’s investment coming into the town, it’s great – we like that kind of thing.”

Stourbridge will find out if it has managed to hang onto its gold status at the Heart of England in Bloom awards on Thursday September 11 in Shrewsbury.