Looking back... Rushpark Estate gets top award in '˜Best Kept' competition

In the annual competition, the estate came out on top in the large housing estate category for the North East region.

The judges of the competition said that the estate was “a well maintained area.”

They also said that the trees in the area were an attractive feature.

New Mossley was also commended by judges, who said the estate had good street planning and provision of green spaces.

Many local residents across Newtownabbey were praised for the high standard of their gardens.

The judging teams took a number of factors into account including the absence of litter and posters, absence of graffiti, roads and verges, decorative repair order of buildings, tidiness of gardens and plots, quality and placement of permanent advertising and the condition of street furniture.

In total, 184 estates were judged throughout the Province.

The competition was in its 31st year.

It was organised by the NI Amenity Council.