Tip boosts Leeds town's bid for award

As well as the town’s parks and green spaces, its Ellar Ghyll recycling site was brought to the Britain in Bloom panel judge’s attention after the tip’s colourful flower arrangements were featured in the nomination.

The waste recycling site was transformed using containers and decorations recycled from within the facility.

This follows Otley’s success in Yorkshire in Bloom, which saw the historic town win gold awards for a third year in a row.

Katie Burnett, Chair of Otley in Bloom, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into transforming Otley into a colourful floral display.

“It’s great how the local community have all contributed.

“Otley in Bloom has truly helped to enhance the town and the green spaces with year round colourful and sustainable displays.”

The revamp has also earned the backing of Leeds City Council.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, LCC’s executive member for Environment and Sustainability, said: “Otley in Bloom has been a great opportunity to add a colourful display at the Ellar Ghyll recycling site.

“It truly represents the strong civic pride around the Leeds and surrounding areas and I’m honoured by the hard effort all of the volunteers and organisers have put in for the annual competition.”

Otley in Bloom organisers will be hoping they will have done enough to win the top prize at the prestigious national awards ceremony later this month.

It would be the first West Yorkshire town to win the award in the competition’s history.