BICESTER came home with a bunch of awards from the two Britain in Bloom competitions.

The town won silver gilt award in the large town category and Bicester Village got best commercial operation at the awards ceremony in Birmingham.

And there were further trophies in the regional contest, with the town winning a gold medal for large town category for the third year running and a special clean and tidy award.

Bicester was up against Witney and Abingdon in the category – they both got silver awards.

Bicester mayor Richard Mould, pictured front with town councillors, staff and the awards, said: “We received praise for the floral displays in Sheep Street and around the town.

“The judges were particularly impressed with Brookside School where students had given up a morning of their summer holidays to show the judges round.”

Winners of the Bicester Town Council bloom competition will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony at Wyevale Garden Centre tonight.