TWO north Pembrokeshire communities have shown they have petal power, winning their categories of Wales in Bloom 2018, at a blooming great awards ceremony in Colwn Bay last Friday, September 14.

Wolfscastle won the Village category, taking home a gold award and achieving a total of 173 points out of a possible 200 while Fishguard and Goodwick won the Small Coastal Resort category with 167 points.

"It was a great pleasure to return to Wolfscastle this summer," said the judges. "You stepped up to the mark with an entry that saw an increase in marks .

"It was good to see that the voice of the young people in the village is now being heard through the formation of the Wolfcastle in Bloom Youth Group as well as the Young People's Forum. It was also good to see the continuing support from the businesses located in the village."

Rev Geoffry Eynon, Wolfscastle in Bloom organiser, travelled to Colwyn Bay to receive the award.

"Once again we are very proud of the fact that we are Wales in Bloom Winners in the Village Category," said Rev Eynon.

"For the first time since we have been competing we have received a gold award, which is a huge achievement, now that the boundaries in the village classes have been changed.

"Praise must be given to the village volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout a rather challenging summer but have managed to keep the flowers blooming and well-watered throughout the season."

Fishguard and Goodwick took home a silver gilt award and won the small coastal resort category, achieving a silver gilt with 167 points out of 200.

"It was a great pleasure to return to Fishguard and Goodwick and to witness the progress that you have made in just 12 months," sad the judges.

"Once again the level of ingenuity when tackling both practical and funding problems was exemplary. The Greening Fishguard and Goodwick Project has clearly reached everyone in the community. This was reflected in the level of support and participation witnessed during the judging.

"It was very pleasing to see that you had developed further your entry, and that whilst a number of your projects have since borne fruit, others are developing well for the future."

Greening Fishguard and Goodwick organiser Julia Moffett said it was "absolutely brilliant news".

"We didn't get the gold that we wanted but we were only three points off and we can see what we need to improve on for next year. We did so much better than last year and won the category overall which is wonderful.

"Thanks to all the greeners, especially Nick and Gill Chilton at Fishguard Garden Centre, and all the people who have worked so hard. The judges said how wonderful it was to meet all the volunteers and how enthusiastic and friendly they were. They were also inpressed that they didn't see one piece of litter when they walked around."

Representatives from both communities will now visit to Belfast in October, for the results of the Britain in Bloom competition.

Meanwhile, Saundersfoot Community Council was runner-up in the large village category, being awarded a Silver Gilt.

Tenby's Giltar Hotel once again won the category for the best hotel front, with a Gold medal display.

The hotel's gardener, Simon Rowlands, said: "I have always painted with flowers.

"You can paint a picture or you can create a 3D picture by jumping into it."

Also striking Gold, and a second place in the category, was the Atlantic Hotel, Tenby.

In the category for large caravan sites, there was Gold for Lydstep Beach Caravan Park, who came fourth in their section.