Congratulations to Washington in Bloom volunteers!

The village won Northumbria in Bloom earlier this year and was then chosen to go into the national competition, before being announced as the overall winner during the awards ceremony in Manchester this week.

This year, the volunteers also won the Exceptional Public Engagement Award for their work with the community. The Washington Village in Bloom volunteers work year-round alongside Sunderland City Council, local businesses, volunteers completing Duke of Edinburgh awards and extra volunteers from Barclay's Bank on the floral displays and colourful flower beds that impressed the visiting judges.

In August this year, Washington in Bloom volunteers welcomed the Britain in Bloom judges as it celebrated Washington's 60^th anniversary and the competition's 60^th anniversary with a 1960's 'Flower Power' themed celebration.

Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, also won the Community Champion Award for her continued hard work on the village while she was undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. She said: "You can't enter the best village category - you have to be nominated by Northumbria in Bloom, so even being invited to the competition is a fantastic achievement for Washington Village. We are completely self-funded and rely on donations and the hard work and dedication of the Washington in Bloom volunteers.

"The volunteers deserve all the credit for the award. Whether its planting or removing leaves they are out working on the village every week in every season and their hard work has really paid off."

Councillor Beth Jones, Washington Central ward councillor and Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said: "I'd like to say a big congratulations to Joan on her award win and well done to the team of Washington in Bloom volunteers who have all worked hard towards Washington Village's national award.

"The village looks absolutely stunning and it's down to the hard work of all the brilliant volunteers and the collaborative efforts of council staff, local businesses, volunteers, local schools and residents. Everyone has done a fantastic job, and I'm delighted to see it recognised with this well-deserved award."