The area not only claimed the title of Best Large Village in Northumbria In Bloom, but also took first prize for Best Kept Church Grounds and Most Attractive Front Garden.

Younger gardeners also saw their efforts rewarded as Warkworth First School narrowly missed out on top spot in the Best School Horticulture Project category after scooping gold for various work, including the creation of a pond.

A committee of Sandie Taylor, Jackie Galilee, Josie Mulligan and Serena Coulter led the village's Bloom bid, co-ordinating the efforts of other volunteers.

Ms Taylor said: "To get four gold medals is fantastic for the whole village. People go out in all weather to do the gardening, it is a real team effort."

Judges Eileen Burn and Valerie Giles were impressed with the cleanliness of the area, finding no evidence of litter, dog-fouling or graffiti.

They praised the level of voluntary care for colourful floral displays, which scored 52 marks out of 60, and they were pleased to find the vicar out sweeping the pavement on the morning of their visit.

Private front gardens were rated "outstanding" and Mr and Mrs Alf Fiddes, of Magdalene Fields, were given the Bob Woolley Memorial Award for having the best plot in the region. The judges said it was the "perfect example of a front garden".

Parishioners at St Lawrence Church are facing a tough time after the building was placed on the At Risk register and almost £500,000 of restoration work is needed, including urgent repairs to the Norman North wall.

But they didn't let the fund-raising work distract them from digging in and they came away with the Ellis Wood Trophy for the church grounds, which the judges said were well cared for, peaceful, colourful and inviting.

Parishioner Edith Howliston, who is also heavily involved with the school garden, said she was pleased the hard work had paid off.

"We are absolutely thrilled," she said. "We have two major clean-ups a year and a team of people go every fortnight or so to dead-head and tidy up.

"The school has done very well to get gold because it is the first year it has entered. We are very pleased for the children."

Northumbria In Bloom chairman Eileen Burn paid tribute to all the entrants. She said: "It has been a difficult year, but you have all shown fantastic hard work and commitment. You really do make the world a better place in which to live, whatever the weather."