A COMMUNITY garden for residents with learning disabilities and mental health needs in Darwen has won a North West in Bloom award.

Residents of the supported living scheme at Birch Hall were awarded the first prize in the Level Four Thriving category during a prestigious awards ceremony at Southport Theatre and Convention centre.

Residents at the home, owned by Lancashire-based housing provider Progress Housing Group, got together to create the award-winning communal garden after deciding they wanted a space to sit out and enjoy.

The tenants built the communal garden along with members of Progress Housing Group to enable them to stay healthy and active through gardening and give them a sense of achievement.

It was judged alongside gardens throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Andrea Richardson, tenant services manager at Progress Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to have won this award.

"It is all down to the tenants for their hard work and commitment in looking after the garden."

Progress Housing Group supported living tenant Clare Cowell said: "Being involved with the garden has been brilliant and to have won the thriving award was fantastic and better than we had hoped for.

"The garden has brought us together as a community too.

"Being able to use the garden makes me feel happy and is a good place to meet and talk to people when I'm feeling down."

North West in Bloom is an annual competition that comes under the umbrella of the National Britain in Bloom competition, where areas are judged by horticultural and environmental experts.

The judges assess the competing areas on five key elements, floral display, permanent landscaping, local agenda and sustainable development, local environmental quality and public awareness.

Earcroft councillor and mayor of Darwen Town Council Trevor Maxfield congratulated the group for their efforts.

He said: "This is a group of people who have decided what they wanted and worked hard to achieve it.

"Winning the North West in Bloom award is a just reward for their excellent efforts.

"The garden looks great and I am sure in summer it will be the perfect place for people to relax."