Months of preparation and hard work came to a head as judges from Britain in Bloom ran the rule over Silloth's entry.

The seaside town has been nominated as a finalist in the competition's coastal town (up to 12,000) category - the same section it won a silver gilt in last year.

Bloom judges Ian Beaney and Richard Budge visited Silloth to inspect the town's entry.

After a presentation to the judges by Bill Jefferson, Silloth in Bloom chairman, and Wendy Jameson, Silloth in Bloom secretary and coordinator, the judges tour began.

They took in a number of locations including the community garden before being invited to raise the 2017/18 Green Flag, which was awarded to Silloth Green for the fifth year in succession.

The award is recognition that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

They then moved on to the Millenium mosaic, the plantings at the war memorial and the garden of a resident on Esk Street.

One of the key features of the visit was a stop at the heritage rose and bee garden, where they spoke at length to volunteer Vivian Russell who designed and planted the garden.

After spending time there the judges then made their way to the Victorian pagoda at the top of the hill on the green.

They finished off their visit to Silloth with lunch at the Golf Hotel.

Silloth was given a last-minute spruce up by an army of volunteers during a town centre clean-up last week.

Mr Jefferson thanked everyone in the community for their roles in preparing the town.

"I think the visit went well," he said.

"We have focused on improvements from last years’ visit and referred to actions taken on advice from the 2016 judges.

"The judges clearly enjoyed the morning, as did we all and thankfully the weather held up, so fingers crossed.”

The winners will be announced at the Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony, which will take place in Llandudno, north Wales, on October 27.