A VILLAGE near Redditch has won a national award for their flower beds and planting efforts.

Astwood Bank in Bloom has been presented a gold award in The Britain in Bloom competition, thanks to a group of hardworking volunteers.

The group first came together in 2015 but this is the first year they have submitted an entry to the competition.

Redditch Borough Council leader Matt Dormer said: “This is great news and I know how hard the volunteers worked to make Astwood Bank bloom and I am pleased we could support them in reaching gold status.

“It’s very well-deserved and thank you to everyone involved for this tremendous effort which demonstrates how proud we are to live in Redditch.”

Ashley Hewitt, Astwood Bank Community Group chair said: “This is an amazing result which is testament to the hard work and dedication the Astwood Bank In Bloom team have put in to this project.”