SIX groups in the city have been recognised for making their communities cleaner, greener and safer as part of this year's Britain in Bloom competition.

Barns Place Residents Association, in Cowley, Headington Action and Friends of St Sepulchre's Cemetery had made sure communal land in the area was 'thriving'.

Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground and Meadow Lane Guerilla Garden in Iffley were given an 'advancing' rating and Vicarage Court Garden Club were told they were 'improving'.

Oxford City Council, which supported eight community garden projects to the tune of almost £4,000 and all six recognised projects, congratulated the volunteers on their efforts and success.

The Barns Place project saw residents create a rooftop garden with communal seating areas on top of the residential block.

Flowering bulbs were planted by Jericho residents to improve St Sepulchre's Cemetery, which was opened in 1848 and is Grade II listed.

Volunteers regularly spent time on Saturday morning clearing vegetation and making the graves more visible to the public.

The council's board member for leisure, parks and sport, Linda Smith, said: "Oxford in Bloom is now firmly about the Council supporting local residents and community groups to roll up their sleeves and improve their local neighbourhood, while bringing people together to enjoy gardening and get closer to nature."

Mansle Gardens in Watlington was also awarded as part of the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' Britain in Bloom sceheme.