LYME Regis has been awarded a silver medal in the South West In Bloom competition - a grade given for an overall success rate of between 60 and 74 per cent in the section for towns with populations between 2,000 and 499.

Winners of the Ayre Cup, with a gold grade, in this section are Hutton. Fowey are next, taking silver gilt, while Lyme finish all square with Fowey.

The judge, in his written comments about Lyme, said: "We had an excellent day. I look forward to two years time (following the seafront enhancement) when Lyme Regis will be a wow!"

He graded the town floral displays as "very good" in difficult conditions, while the permanent landscapes, including shrubs, fell just short of this standard on "good."

He commented: "The park (gardens) is run down pending improvement, The newly landscaped sea wall /sewage system needs flowers."

Lyme rated as only average on sustainable development and innovation, with the judge stressing that more evidence of effort in this are was required if the town was to win the competition in future.

He also gave the same assessment on the quality of the local environment, a section dealing with litter, dog fouling, graffiti, fly posting and other factors.

The judge concluded: "Perhaps a little more emphasis in public awareness is required in Lyme through marketing, publicity and promotion of Britain in Bloom."