The competition, which is in its third year, pits residents and businesses against each other to create the most colourful gardens and shopfronts.

Inspections of all the entrants took place last month and were judged by Steve Burgess, head gardener of the Abbey Gardens, in Bury St Edmunds, and Sean Reid, head gardener at Ickworth House.

Maureen Kowalyk, chairman of Mildenhall in Bloom, said: "The judges were very impressed with the standards of this year's entrants. They have helped to brighten up the place and made people proud of their town."

Alongside the winners of the four categories – communal gardens, small businesses, front gardens and back gardens – a special award was given to the sensory garden at the Community Resource Unit, in Recreation Way, which was created to help people with learning difficulties.

The garden was opened last September with money donated from the community.

Alexandra Blake, assistant day care officer at the unit, said: "It's really nice for the hard work that the community put into the garden to be recognised. The customers love it – they like to get stuck in to the gardening and are really proud of it."

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