Abingdon will be taking part in the national Britain in Bloom competition next year, after scooping top prizes in this year's regional event.

The town won the large town category in the regional competition and gained top marks to win a place in the national competition next year.

The town also won two gold standards and three individual awards for best hanging baskets, environmental initiatives and for the Abbot of Abingdon roundabout in Marcham Road.

Lesley Legge, who chairs the Abingdon in Bloom and Abingdon Big Bloom committees, said it had been a remarkable achievement. The town now needed everyone to join in during the coming year to help become the winning team in the national competition.

She said: "This is a golden opportunity to work together. We need not only our wonderful gardeners to keep working hard but shops, businesses and residents, young and old, to help keep the town clean and tidy.

"We will also need organisations and groups to come forward with practical projects to improve and enhance areas around Abingdon. We are planning to stage an open meeting for residents, businesses, shops, churches, groups and organisations to play next year's campaign."

The awards were presented to mayor Audrey Tamplin at the regional award ceremony, when it was announced that Abingdon had secured enough points to go forward to compete in next year's national competition.