Lesley Bailey and Herm gardeners Brett Moore, left, and James Cordingley show Britain in Bloom judges Roger Burnett and Rae Beckwith around the island. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0617061)

HERM has won the small coastal town category in the RHS Britain Bloom competition for the second time. A group of islanders were given the news at a ceremony attended by about 400 people at Chester racecourse last night.

The island repeated its success of 2002, again with a gold medal, and it also shared a discretionary award with St Helier for unannounced judging which took place in April and May.

Head gardener Brett Moore said waiting for the result had been a tense time.

‘My knees were shaking when there were only three of us left on the stage,’ said Mr Moore. He said they were collecting the award on behalf of every islander as all had contributed to the success.

‘It’s a great send off for Adrian and Penny Heyworth and it’s something we wanted to bring back for them,’ he said. ‘Hopefully, we’ve secured our jobs now.’